Ratcliffe set to wield the axe at Man Utd again and 'sack chief scout'

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is preparing to take drastic action at Manchester United, with one ‘senior man’ expected to face the ‘sack’.

Ruben Amorim is growing increasingly ‘unimpressed’ by the performances of two of his goalkeepers and it could lead to the sacking of a chief scout.

Amorim, appointed last month to replace Erik ten Hag after the Dutch head coach was sacked, has had a rocky start at Old Trafford.

The 39-year-old inherited a struggling squad and has seen United lose five of their last ten matches across all competitions.

This poor form has left United nervously eyeing the relegation zone, highlighting the need for upgrades in several positions.

Among the problem areas is the goalkeeping department, where both Andre Onana and Altar Bayindir have faced heavy criticism for their performances.

According to Football Insider, Amorim has been left ‘raging’ and ‘unimpressed’ by the goalkeeping duo.

The report claims that as a result, United are ‘set to sack their chief goalkeeping scout, Tony Coton,’ labeling the ‘senior man’ as the ‘next in the firing line.’

The report adds: “The INEOS-led exodus is intensifying after a huge clearout already of senior staff since they took charge of the football side of the club a year ago.

"Well-placed sources have told Football Insider that Ruben Amorim has not been impressed by either number one Andre Onana or his deputy Altar Bayindir since he took charge of the team.

"The new United boss has made that clear to the club’s hierarchy, and they’re now set to take action on the situation by sacking Coton. He’s next in the firing line as INEOS continues to make difficult decisions that they deem to be in United’s best interest.”

Meanwhile, The Daily Star reports that United have already identified Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen as their ‘favourite’ to replace Onana.

The report explains: “Even before previous boss Erik ten Hag, who signed him from Inter Milan, was sacked, the Cameroon star, 28, was unhappy with life in Manchester. But that situation appears to have worsened following the arrival of Ten Hag’s Portuguese successor, Ruben Amorim.

“The United hierarchy are fully aware of the issue surrounding £47.5million Onana – hence the hunt for a top keeper is already underway.

"And at present, Dutch international Verbruggen, 22, seems to be the favourite on the Old Trafford stopper shopping list.

“With more than three years left on his contract on the South Coast, the Seagulls man, a £16.3m buy from Anderlecht in June 2023, would cost around the £30m mark.

"Any deal is unlikely to happen before next summer, though, meaning United and Onana are stuck together for now.”

This turbulent period for United marks the ‘longest month’ of Amorim’s managerial career, as he faces a daunting task to turn the club’s fortunes around.