The tide is changing at Manchester United but they aren't out of the storm yet. There is excitement surrounding Sir Jim Ratcliffe's investment in the club, yet it might not bring the quick-fix solutions that many su
The tide is changing at Manchester United but they aren't out of the storm yet. There is excitement surrounding Sir Jim Ratcliffe's investment in the club, yet it might not bring the quick-fix solutions that many supporters are hoping for.
It had been hoped that Ratcliffe's deal would be ratified by now, but as has been a running theme throughout the entire takeover process, things are still dragging out, with uncertainty surrounding when it might be completed.
The British billionaire wanted the deal to be completed this week and there are now some fears it might not be done before Thanksgiving celebrations begin on Thursday, which could then see it pushed back into next week.
In the grand scheme of things, another week of delay might not seem much considering it has taken a year to get this far already, but it could end up having implications for the amount of immediate change that could be enforced.
Ratcliffe will want to hit the ground running and win over the doubters in the fanbase - those who wanted Qatari investment instead and those who have already labelled him a 'Glazer'2.0' - which is easier said than done.
There will be somewhere between a six and eight-week wait for the Premier League to ratify a deal before they can push ahead with plans, which is particularly frustrating with the January transfer window so close on the horizon.
If indeed the deal isn't confirmed until next week, then, in the best case, it would be approved by the Premier League in mid-January and, at the worst, in the final week of the winter window.
The Ineos Group has already identified recruitment as one of the biggest issues at United since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, and it was even an issue during his final few years at the club as well.
Ratcliffe will face heavy scrutiny for his approach to the transfer market, particularly given his previous comments about United being "the dumb money", singling out the £47million signing of Fred as evidence of their 'shockingly poor' recruitment strategy.
It will soon be time for him to put money where his mouth is. Richard Arnold is set to leave the club by the end of the year, while United are also planning to replace John Murtough as football director as part of sweeping changes to the sporting structure.
A lot of emphasis will be put on any business they do in January, but the real test of Ratcliffe's recruitment overhaul will come next summer once they've actually had time to implement change.
United typically begin planning for the next transfer window as soon as the previous one closes, with both short-term and long-term targets shortlisted as they plan for the future and the permutations they might face.
There is real uncertainty ahead of January, given that provisional plans will have been in the pipeline for months, yet they would rely on approval from Ratcliffe and any new sporting director to be exercised.
That means time is even more important if they do want to strengthen in the winter window, something that could be further limited by the time it takes the Premier League to actually rubber-stamp the deal.
It doesn't make it any less important, though. The league table currently flatters United and there can be no ignoring the fact they have struggled in the first months of the season, with question marks hanging over a number of players.
Wholesale change is not expected until next summer, but a winter arrival could well transform their immediate fortunes and ensure this season becomes one associated with success rather than failure.
Even with the Champions League reforms being introduced next season, there is no guarantee United will be able to do enough to qualify again for Europe's premier club competition or reap the lucrative riches it brings. It further fuels the argument to reinforce mid-season.
The January transfer window is the first chance for Ratcliffe to prove he isn't the 'dumb money' either. He might prove that by not spending anything at all.