Sir Jim Ratcliffe to issue Erik ten Hag 'order' once he joins Man Utd that could cause major problem

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is planning to issue Erik ten Hag a strict order as soon as he completes a deal to purchase a minority stake in Manchester United, according to reports.

Ratcliffe, 71, will purchase a 25 per cent stake in United in the coming days after failing to convince the Glazers to sell the Premier League club.

Sky News has reported that the announcement could come as early as Wednesday afternoon and is expected to follow confirmation that chief executive Richard Arnold is set to leave United.

Sky News journalist Mark Kleinman posted on X: "Richard Arnold, the Manchester United Football Club CEO, is to leave the club by the end of the year.

"An announcement will be made later today and will come shortly before Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos Sport confirms the acquisition of a 25 per cent stake in the club."

Ratcliffe has not given up on buying United in full and is said to view his minority purchase as the first stage of a full takeover.

And the British billionaire is seemingly ready to stamp his mark on the club, both on an off the field.

The Daily Star claim Ratcliffe will order manager Erik ten Hag to end his ongoing feud with Jadon Sancho.

The 23-year-old winger has found himself left out in the cold at United this season after being banished by manager Ten Hag.

Sancho has not featured since September after he refused to apologise to the Dutch manager in a row over his efforts in training.

After Ten Hag publicly called out Sancho in a press conference, the player responded by claiming he had been made a 'scapegoat' by the United boss – branding his claims 'completely untrue'.

Sancho has since refused to apologise – either publicly or privately – to Ten Hag and remains banned from first-team activities.

The England international is being strongly linked with a move away from United in January.

But the Daily Star's report claims Ratcliffe will try to find a way to reintegrate Sancho, claiming he is 'alarmed at how the bust-up between the two has escalated'.

Ratcliffe is said to be 'worried the on-going stand off is damaging one of the club's assets'.

He intends meeting with Ten Hag to discuss what can be done, and would like the pair to settle their differences.

However, it remains to be seen if Ten Hag is willing to offer Sancho a route back into his squad.