Sir Jim Ratcliffe 'questioned Man United's Casemiro deal when touring Carrington in March'... while there was 'internal resistance' when they looked to sign him 'as some felt Declan Rice would have been a BETTER signing'
- Jim Ratcliffe values a different transfer policy - and others at United are the same
- Some staff wanted Rice over Casemiro, a British deal in line with Ratcliffe's ideas
- Arsenal were a better watch last season and played riskier football BUT they have more steel now... it could take them to the title - It's All Kicking Off
Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly questioned Manchester United's decision to sign Casemiro - and now it has emerged that club insiders did the same before they bought him.
Chemicals powerhouse Ratcliffe, whose £1.25billion deal for a 25 per cent stake in the club is close to being confirmed, challenged the move while touring the club's Carrington training centre in March.
Manchester United sealed a £60million plunge for Casemiro in August 2022, prising him away from Real Madrid with a four-year contract and ambitious talk.
Mail Sport reported in October that Ratcliffe singled out Casemiro, now 31, as an example of questionable recruitment.
However, The Athletic have deepened the story by suggesting that some United employees preferred Declan Rice on financial grounds, adding precious context to Ratcliffe's concerns.
![Sir Jim Ratcliffe questioned Manchester United's move for Casemiro - and club insiders felt a move for Declan Rice would have made more sense](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/22/10/79249381-0-image-a-6_1703241085450.jpg)
Sir Jim Ratcliffe questioned Manchester United's move for Casemiro - and club insiders felt a move for Declan Rice would have made more sense
![Some at the club felt buying Rice would have made more financial sense due to his lower wages and a higher potential resale value](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/22/10/79249505-0-image-a-8_1703241162802.jpg)
Some at the club felt buying Rice would have made more financial sense due to his lower wages and a higher potential resale value
They cite Casemiro's £350,000-per-week wages as one sticking point, as Rice could have been on much less. Mail Sport understands that he earns £250,000 per week at Arsenal.
While Rice could have cost up to £120m - Arsenal paid £105m for him - that fee could have been spread out over a longer contract to help United comply with Financial Fair Play rules.
Crucially, Rice was only 23 in the summer of 2022 and will have immense potential resale value for years to come.
That's especially relevant as Mail Sport exclusively revealed that John Murtough, United's transfer chief, flew to Saudi Arabia earlier this month to discuss selling Casemiro.
Murtough met with Saudi Pro League chiefs in Riyadh to chew over possible deals for Casemiro, Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho, and Anthony Martial.
If Ratcliffe was against signing a player of Casemiro's profile, and there is backing at the club for a different policy, then that could indicate the direction in which he will steer the club.
United's transfer in recent years have been pinned on two major approaches: either signing a European veteran with immense pedigree but questions over their age, or young, often unproven talent from abroad for stratospheric fees.
![Casemiro is on £350,000 per week but is struggling for form this season and could be sold](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/22/10/79249389-0-image-a-9_1703241215491.jpg)
Casemiro is on £350,000 per week but is struggling for form this season and could be sold
![Sir Jim Ratcliffe would prioritise signing homegrown players rather than expensive imports such as Antony, who cost United £60m more than they initially valued him at](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/22/10/79249629-0-image-a-10_1703241299313.jpg)
Sir Jim Ratcliffe would prioritise signing homegrown players rather than expensive imports such as Antony, who cost United £60m more than they initially valued him at
Antony was signed last summer for £85m, despite club scouts initially placing a £25m value on him.
Mail Sport exclusively revealed that Ratcliffe would seek to prioritise homegrown talent to help fire United back to the summit of the game.
Considering The Athletic's latest report, Ratcliffe will be stepping in to a club with competing voices regarding transfer policy and will have to be assertive.
His 25 per cent investment in the game will put him in charge of sporting operations, and INEOS' director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford will play an influential role.
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