Manchester United's new investors INEOS are believed to have questioned two deals which highlight the issues at the club.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his group have purchased a 25 per cent stake in United, with the arrangement seeing them assume complete control of football operations.
The British billionaire has wasted no time in making his mark, having taken Omar Berrada from Manchester City as Richard Arnold's replacement for the CEO position.
Football negotiations manager Sam Barnett has been relieved of his duties, while United are looking for a trio of marquee arrivals in key board positions.
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Clearly there is a huge emphasis on improving recruitment and according to the Daily Mail, there are two case studies which the new shareholders are pointing towards.
In a Q&A, journalist Chris Wheeler was asked about the possibility of United trying to sign Karim Benzema from Al Nassr after the Anthony Martial injury news.
He said a deal for the 36-year-old was "unlikely" and played down talk of United doing a short-term January signings like they did with Odion Ighalo and Wout Weghorst.
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But he goes on to add that INEOS had some interesting thoughts on United paying huge salaries to Raphael Varane and Casemiro.
"You never know with United, but they are not encouraging the speculation around Benzema at all," he wrote.
"At a time when Ineos are questioning the wisdom of paying Casemiro and Raphael Varane a weekly wage of £375,000 and £340,000 respectively (little more than a year after ripping up Cristiano Ronaldo’s £500,000 contract), it would seem like a backward step to bring in another ex-Real Madrid star on big money at the age of 36."
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The stance aligns with new CEO Berrada, who is reportedly enforcing a rule whereby underperforming players must leave within two years.
United are not expected to splash the cash despite new investment as they still owe more than £300 million to clubs over transfer-related fees.
Topics: Manchester United, Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Josh Lawless