United to bring in City plan

SIR JIM RATCLIFFE is set to get tough with Manchester United’s highest earners by introducing a bonus-led pay structure that will only see players cash-in if they are successful.

Ratcliffe made it his mission to bring United’s spiralling wage bill under control when he was given access to the club’s books during talks over his £1.3billion buy-in.

And he has persuaded Manchester City executive Omar Berrada (above) to move to Old Trafford as United’s new CEO with a brief to bring in the same kind of bonus-heavy blueprint that has been effective at the Etihad.

City became the first Premier League club to post a wage bill in excess of £400million in November, when they revealed their latest annual accounts.

United’s latest figures showed their wage bill to be just over £330m.

But Pep Guardiola’s squad triggered a huge package of bonus payments by winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.

Berrada proved himself to be a skilled negotiator at City.

Ratcliffe’s INEOS group have taken control of United’s football operation – and want more bang for their buck.

They now want to fast-track an agreement with Newcastle United to appoint Dan Ashworth as Old Trafford sporting director and have also earmarked former City academy boss Jason Wilcox, who is now Southampton’s director of football, for a role at the club.

Ratcliffe’s team have also approached former Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward about joining Ashworth’s recruitment team.

Berrada will be tasked with keeping basic salaries below a £300,000-aweek ceiling – although INEOS understand there may be circumstances that require flexibility.

It could also take years to implement, given the existing terms of current player contracts.