Sir Jim Ratcliffe 'open' to return of Man Utd outcast in move that could upset Erik ten Hag

Manchester United shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe is 'open' to making a transfer decision that could potentially upset Erik ten Hag, according to reports.

The 71-year-old, who is the founder and majority owner of INEOS, one of the world's largest chemical producers, has acquired a 25% stake in the club in a deal worth around £1.3 billion.

Ratcliffe and his team will assume total control of football operations at Old Trafford, which will compromise of making some difficult decisions, including the future of Jadon Sancho.

Sancho was banished from the first-team at United in September last year after Erik ten Hag expressed his displeasure at the winger's effort levels in training.

The 23-year-old decided to publicly challenge Ten Hag's comments and, after refusing to apologise, Sancho was shipped off to Borussia Dortmund on a six-month loan.

So what does the future hold for Sancho? According to a report from The Sun, Ratcliffe is 'open' to welcoming him back to Old Trafford in the summer.

Former United forward Andy Cole believes Sancho could be handed a lifeline by Ratcliffe.

"Whether he does or doesn’t stay at Manchester United in the long-term, the kid is still a very talented player," Cole told Betfred.

"You can all sit here and say he’s got to get his head right, but I think everyone needs to get their head and mindset right at times.

"It’s not worked out for him at the moment at Manchester United, but you just never know what’s going to happen.

"I listened to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments the other day regarding Mason Greenwood and how a decision regarding his future will be made in the summer, so it looks like they’re going to go back to that situation and review it, so I believe that Sancho will be in that discussion as well."

Image credit: Getty

Cole added: "Yes, he’s had a tough time, but can they address this problem? If they can’t address this problem, what is the best thing for Jadon Sancho as well as Manchester United? That’s the way they’ve got to look at things.

"If you look at Manchester United over the last 11 years, how many players have come to the club, who have had a lot expected of them, and it’s not worked out and it’s always been down to the player?

"Everything can’t always be down to the player and everything can’t always be down to the club.

"The culture isn’t right, so you’ve got to look at many different things because too many players, and too many good players, have come to Manchester United and it’s not worked out. For me, that doesn’t make sense."