Man Utd news: Sir Jim Ratcliffe's 'huge decision' and Ruben Amorim deadline

Manchester United's woeful start to the season has already put a stop to any lingering optimism. Despite spending a whopping £200million on new signings over the summer, the club is yet to see any return on its outlay.

The Red Devils most notably suffered a shock second-round Carabao Cup exit at the hands of League Two side Grimsby Town, followed by a comfortable 3-0 defeat in last weekend's Manchester Derby. Last season was largely written off as a disaster, with manager Ruben Amorim guiding the team to their worst ever Premier League finish in 15th and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur. But despite the arrival of new talent, Amorim's fortunes haven't improved. He now holds the unwanted record of having the lowest win percentage of any permanent United manager since World War II, following an 18th defeat in his 47-game tenure on Sunday.

The struggling head coach is under immense pressure ahead of Saturday's showdown with Chelsea at Old Trafford. And with rumours of a potential dismissal swirling, we bring you some of the latest news surrounding both Amorim and the club.

Ratcliffe 'to sell club'

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly looking to sell OGC Nice, according to French outlet Ici. Ratcliffe and INEOS purchased Nice for £89m (€100m) in 2019, sparking hopes among fans that their financial muscle would help them challenge the domestic dominance of Paris Saint-Germain.

But that has not materialised, with Nice failing to secure a finish above fourth under INEOS' ownership. Speculation grew over Ratcliffe looking to sell the club in March this year, when the billionaire admitted toThe Times that he didn't particularly enjoy watching Nice because the quality of football wasn't "high enough" for him to get excited.

He also noted that Nice's best campaign was last season, when INEOS were forced to adopt a less hands-on model due to multi-club ownership rules, admitting: "They've been so much better without our interference!"

It's now been claimed that Ratcliffe has placed Nice up for sale, having been deemed to have neglected the club since becoming United's minority shareholder and spearheading its football strategy. The aforementioned report indicates Sir Jim is seeking £173m to sever ties with the French outfit, with an update expected imminently.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have been contacted for comment on the situation.

Amorim sack 'deadline'

Manchester United could delay their decision to sack head coach Amorim, even if they decide he is not the right person to lead the team until the end of the season. The Portuguese signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Red Devils less than a year ago on a salary of £6.5m-per-season.

His contract also includes a 12-month extension, having been rushed into the role after United paid Sporting £9.2m to buy him out of his contract. And, according to theDaily Mail, the club would be required to directly compensate him £12m if they dismiss the 40-year-old before he completes one year in the job.

His coaching staff could also be in line for a hefty pay-off, leading Ratcliffe and INEOS to potentially hold off on any decision to sack him until after November 1, when his payout will decrease, which could save them a considerable sum.

Amorim's next three matches against Chelsea, Brentford and Sunderland may well be his final opportunity to save his job. Meanwhile, Ratcliffe will be keen to save money, given the club has already spent an eye-watering £54m in compensation for the five managers they have dismissed since Sir Alex Ferguson left.

Mainoo's Newcastle links

Elsewhere, Newcastle United are said to be monitoring Kobbie Mainoo's situation closely, with a potential move for the midfielder in the January transfer window on the cards. Eddie Howe, according to talkSPORT, is known to be a fan of the player.

Mainoo, 20, was keen to leave United ahead of transfer deadline day after losing his place in the starting-11 under Amorim. However, the Red Devils blocked their academy graduate from completing a potential £50m switch to Napoli, where Scott McTominay has thrived since leaving United.

The young talent was once again left out of the starting line-up for Sunday's 3-0 defeat in the Manchester Derby. That will have only increased his frustrations, having played just 73 minutes in the Premier League this season, despite being a regular starter under former manager Erik ten Hag.