48 Squad overhaul key for Ratcliffe

THE latest insipid offering from Manchester United underlined the scale of the task facing Jim Ratcliffe in his bid to take the club back to the top.

Ratcliffe and his INEOS team, led by former British cycling guru Dave Brailsford, have already set about restructuring the personnel leading United’s football operations since buying a stake in the club.

One of their biggest jobs is ridding the squad of the dead wood that continue to deliver mediocre performances every week, the latest in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Bournemouth.

Loan

As many as 12 players could — and should — be offloaded this summer as part of a radical overhaul of the squad.

There is a case for moving on Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka,

Raphael Varane, Casemiro, Scott McTominay, Mason Mount, Christian Eriksen, Antony, Marcus Rashford and

Anthony Martial, as well as Mason Greenwood and Jadon Sancho, both currently out on loan.

If United manage to get rid of three-quarters of those players this summer, that is a successful window.

Casemiro (below) personifies United’s patchy form.

His experience and leadership was crucial last season in hauling United back into the Champions League and landing a first trophy for six years.

LIability

But he has regressed massively this season and is a liability. United’s core of Andre Onana, Lisandro Martinez, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund can thrive alongside better players. But the first task for the new regime is to jettison the dead wood and reinvest the funds in the squad.