Sir Jim Ratcliffe looks to 'sack Erik ten Hag for Roberto De Zerbi' amid ‘Man Utd can’t compete with Brighton’ claim

Manchester United “can’t compete” with Brighton in the transfer window, it has been claimed.

The Old Trafford club have spent just over £1billion on signings since the start of the 2017-18 season but in the time have won just one major honour, the Carabao Cup. Meanwhile, they have failed to mount a serious title challenge.

However, should Sir Jim Ratcliffe 25 per cent purchase of the club be finalised, he is expected to run football operations at United, with that agreement possibly the first step in a phased takeover.

And Football Insider have claimed that plans for a multi-club model are key to the Ineos owner’s proposals.

A similar system has been used to great effect by Premier League clubs such as Brighton and Manchester City, while RB Leipzig and RB Salzburg have also benefitted from the set-up on the continent.

One source is said to have told Football Insider: “At the moment, we just can’t get the best young players in and that’s killing us – we can’t compete with Brighton, never mind Man City”.

At present, United are unable to sign international Under-18 players due to Brexit rules, which in turn, has affected their ability to source elite young talent. Meanwhile, Brighton and City can bring promising youth through and nurture them at another club in their portfolio.

Moreover, on Saturday the publication claimed that Ratcliffe plans to sack United manager Erik ten Hag and replace him with Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi.

The decision has allegedly been provisionally made to dismiss Ten Hag regardless of forthcoming results.

Any replacement for the Dutchman will be charged with overhauling the club’s playing style after a poor start to the campaign.

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