Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS looking to re-introduce a rule which they agreed on after Cristiano Ronaldo departure

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In a strategic move to re-establish financial prudence at Manchester United, new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are keen on reinstating a rule that emerged after Cristiano Ronaldo's tumultuous departure in 2022.

Ronaldo's return to Old Trafford in 2021 was initially met with excitement, marked by a stellar performance against Newcastle United. However, as the 2021/22 season unfolded under the managerial transition from Ole Gunnar Solskjær to Ralf Rangnick, Ronaldo's stint took a sour turn.

This culminated in a public fallout with manager Erik ten Hag and his subsequent departure in November 2022. Following Ronaldo's exit, reports circulated that United executives had committed to a self-imposed rule, known as the 'Cristiano Ronaldo rule,' vowing not to exceed the £200,000-a-week wage in new player contracts.

Surprisingly, this commitment seemed to waver in last summer when Manchester United signed Mason Mount from Chelsea to a contract reportedly worth £250,000-a-week, signaling a withdrawal from the previously stated financial guidelines. Mount's tenure at Old Trafford, marred by injury setbacks, has been less than stellar.

It is understood that under the guidance of INEOS who has taken control of sporting matters from now on, the rule is set to be back again. INEOS aims to reinstate the 'Cristiano Ronaldo rule' to regulate contract sizes and bring more balance to the wage structure.

Several players, including Marcus Rashford, Casemiro, Raphael Varane, Anthony Martial, and Jadon Sancho, currently hold what INEOS considers bloated contracts. INEOS is actively working to renegotiate contracts, with Varane and Martial facing the possibility of departing the club when their contracts expire.

In Varane's case, any extension would only be considered with a reduced salary, reflecting INEOS' commitment to financial prudence. Martial, on the other hand, is expected to leave the club for free in the summer, as INEOS opts not to trigger an extension or offer a new deal at his current wage. Jadon Sancho who has joined Borussia Dortmund recently is also expected to be sold in next summer.

So, as the restructuring unfolds, Manchester United, under the guidance of INEOS, aims to strike a balance between sporting success and financial responsibility, learning valuable lessons from the Ronaldo saga and charting a more sustainable course for the future.