Man Utd 'in discussions' to send three flops to Nice amid FFP concerns

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly 'in discussions' over sending three Manchester United flops to his other club amid Financial Fair Play concerns.

While Man United are in no immediate danger of falling foul of Premier League profit and sustainability rules, financial fair play restrictions did limit their spending power during the January transfer window.

United will need to make sales if they are to freshen up Erik ten Hag's squad with new faces, something minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe is keen to do.

The chairman of petrochemicals firm Ineos completed his minority takeover of the club earlier this year, and confirmed that the playing squad will be analysed ahead of the summer.

Finding potential suitors for high-earning United flops could prove tricky, but Ratcliffe could use OGC Nice - the French club he is a shareholder of - to help the situation.

According to HITC, Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek have both been 'mentioned in conversations' between United and Nice officials, while Anthony Martial could make a return to Ligue 1 as he is being considered by Nice as well.

All three players have failed to secure regular minutes at Old Trafford under Ten Hag, with Eriksen starting just nine Premier League matches this term and Van de Beek being loaned to Eintracht Frankfurt.

Donny van de Beek in action for Eintracht Frankfurt. Image: Getty

The German club have the option to sign Van de Beek permanently for only £12.5million, but the Dutchman has made little impact in the Bundesliga.

The midfield duo's contracts will expire in 2025, meaning United will be desperate to sell them this summer.

Martial will be out of contract at the end of the season so will not bring in a transfer fee.

More business could be conducted between Ratcliffe's two clubs.

United were reportedly interested in Nice star Jean-Clair Todibo before Sir Jim's takeover, while teammates Melvin Bard and Khephren Thuram have also been linked with a move to Old Trafford.

Topics: Manchester United, Transfers, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Christian Eriksen, Donny van de Beek, Nice, Football

Alex Brotherton

Alex Brotherton is a Sports Trends Writer at SPORTbible. He has previously worked with publications including the Manchester Evening News, GOAL and BBC Sport. He is a football fanatic, but also dabbles in tennis and American football. He enjoys running, cooking and watching non-league football.

@alex_brotherton