Two Man Utd targets having 'second thoughts' over move as Jim Ratcliffe faces '£46m loss'

Manchester United transfer targets are reportedly having 'second thoughts' about joining the Premier League club over their torrid start to the season. At least two players are claimed to be reluctant to move to Old Trafford due to the lack of progress made under Erik ten Hag.

The Red Devils are 14th in the top-flight, winning only two of their first seven matches. Ten Hag's side were thumped 3-0 by Tottenham and underwhelmed in their goalless draw with Aston Villa prior to the October international break.

United have endured a similarly tough start to their Europa League campaign. They drew 1-1 with FC Twente on matchday one, and required a stoppage-time Harry Maguire goal to salvage another point away to Porto.

Club chiefs have an eye on future transfer windows as they seek to improve the first-team squad. However, the reports that at least two possible targets are having 'second thoughts' about joining United, owing to the club's bad form.

Each of the club's five recruits from their £200million summer spree has faced difficulties since arriving in Manchester. Joshua Zirkzee has not scored since netting the winner on his debut against Fulham, while the performances of Manuel Ugarte and Matthijs de Ligt in the defeat against Spurs came under scrutiny.

Noussair Mazraoui is set to be sidelined for a short period after undergoing surgery, while Leny Yoro is yet to appear after suffering an injury during pre-season.

The report also claims that United are preparing to take a whopping £46m hit on Antony. The Brazilian winger has failed to impress since joining the club in 2022. United bosses hope to receive at least £40m for the player, only two years after they paid £86m to sign him from Ajax.

Antony has played only 27 minutes in the Premier League this season. The 24-year-old's only full 90-minute outing came in the 7-0 demolition of Barnsley in the Carabao Cup, a match in which he scored a penalty.

United have spent around £600m on new signings since Ten Hag's appointment in 2022. It was telling that - albeit for various reasons - only three of those players started the stalement against Villa. The club's success rate with their recruitment has been below-par.

It is an issue that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is seeking to avoid over the coming years. In the summer, there was a focus on signing younger players with room for development, assets who generally come at a smaller cost than ready-made superstars.

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