Sir Jim Ratcliffe's ‘stance’ on Amad loan exit and more Manchester United transfer rumours

INEOS might advise Erik ten Hag against a loan exit for Amad this month due to being apparent admirers of the Manchester United forward.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe will not officially arrive at Old Trafford until his £1.2billion minority investment is ratified by the Premier League, but all January transfer decisions will be passed by him. The 71-year-old has experience in transfer dealings from his ownership of OGC Nice.

Right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford, set to be part of the incoming INEOS cohort, helped Ratcliffe with market options in 2022 and approached United over a loan for Amad - even travelling to Manchester for talks - but was rebuffed, according to The Athletic.

READ MORE: Amad response to Man United transfer rumours

READ MORE: Stuttgart chief addresses Guirassy exit rumours amid United links

Amad instead went to Sunderland for a season-long stay, during which he scored 14 times as he helped the Black Cats reach the Championship play-offs. He made his first competitive appearance under Ten Hag in the 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest having recovered from a serious pre-season knee injury.

Given Brailsford’s fondness of the Ivorian, who will not play at a home Africa Cup of Nations this month, Ten Hag could be encouraged by INEOS to keep him in-house. This possibility has been strengthened by Amad’s social media reply to a tweet speculating that he is bound for another championship loan.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail claims United's supposed interest in Thomas Muller will soon be ended given the veteran has agreed terms over a renewal contract at Bayern Munich last month. The 34-year-old held talks with Ten Hag last year, which ultimately came to nothing.

The manager is said to want to add experience to a youthful