Manchester United’s prospective new owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, cited the £60million signing of Casemiro as a mistake during talks with club chiefs earlier this year.
Ratcliffe questioned the Red Devils’ recruitment strategy during talks and believes has undermined the club’s chances of achieving success in recent seasons.
The English billionaire’s bid to purchase 25% of United is expected to be voted on during a board meeting on Thursday.
Ratcliffe is the only one in the race, following the collapse of Sheikh Jassim’s efforts to buy the Old Trafford outfit outright from the Glazer family.
Once confirmed, Ratcliffe is expected to begin work overhauling United’s recruitment team as he tries to fully arm Erik ten Hag with a squad capable of again challenging for major honours.
According to the Guardian, during a presentation attended by United chiefs Richard Arnold and John Murtough, Ratcliffe highlighted the signing of Casemiro from Real Madrid as a less than shrewd signing.
Casemiro enjoyed an impressive first season in England, but has found the going much tougher so far this term and was taken off at half-time in United’s dramatic comeback win over Brentford prior to the international break.
The Brazilian signed a four-year deal last summer worth £350,000-a-week which played a role in restricting United’s hopes of signing midfield reinforcements last summer.
