After Ratcliffe's arrival, Ten Hag receives best news of the year

The founder, chairman and majority shareholder of the Ineos business group, Jim Ratcliffe, has agreed a deal to acquire 25% of Manchester United, the iconic English football club announced on Sunday. The deal will see Ineos take 'management responsibility' for football-related matters, although the sale means that the US Glazer family, who have run United since 2005, will continue to have ownership control.

The 71-year-old British billionaire will also provide $300 million for future investment in the club's Old Trafford stadium. The Ineos boss, already involved in football as owner of French club Nice and Swiss club Lausanne, shelled out 1.25 billion pounds [about $1.585 billion] to take a stake in Manchester United, according to media reports.

Ratcliffe had recently said he wanted to see Manchester United, which is struggling in the sport, 'regain its rightful place'. Lisandro Martinez, like Casemiro, will be unavailable for Manchester United over the Christmas period but will return to the squad in January.

Good news 

The Brazilian midfielder has been sidelined since early October with a knock, while Lisandro suffered a relapse in September from the metatarsal injury that kept him out for several months in the final stretch of last season. "They won't be available before Christmas. We expect them in January," he said.