Another window with the Glazers! Why Man Utd won’t get added transfer funds in January as Christmas disrupts Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s £1.5 billion investment plan

Britain’s richest man is preparing to inject £1.5 billion ($1.9bn) into the Red Devils as he acquires a 25 per cent stake in the club. That deal could be announced to the New York Stock Exchange before the end of the year, but it will still need to be cleared by the Premier League.

According to ESPN, with the Christmas and New Year period to take into consideration, it could take up to six weeks for the English top-flight to ratify changes to the Red Devils’ ownership model. That would push matters beyond the end of the January recruitment market.

Ratcliffe is set to inherit full control of football operations at Old Trafford, as the Glazers step aside without moving away completely. Changes are already being made to personnel behind the scenes, while there are said to be promises of funding being made available for improvements to United’s squad and stadium infrastructure.

United are, however, continuing to play a waiting game for now. Colette Roche, the club's chief operating officer, has already warned fans not to expect much business in January - with head coach Erik ten Hag following that lead as he instead looks to make the most of welcoming senior stars back from injury.