INEOS consider terminating midfielder’s contract

INEOS are facing mounting criticism over their football operations.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s leadership has come under renewed scrutiny following Manchester United’s latest humiliation.

Michael Carrick’s side suffered a 2-0 Champions League defeat against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday evening, extending their winless run to five matches.

United have won just twice in nine competitive fixtures this season, despite finishing third in the Premier League last term.

The frustration is increasingly evident among the players, with several appearing dejected during another lacklustre European performance.

Captain Bruno Fernandes has particularly struggled to reproduce his remarkable form from last season, when he registered a record-breaking 21 Premier League assists.

However, the most explosive criticism came from Lisandro Martinez, who publicly questioned the club’s leadership following the defeat.

The Argentine singled out Jason Wilcox, who joined United as technical director in April 2024 during INEOS’ restructuring of the football department.

Martinez declared: “I expect more from our technical director, I have to be honest.”

He also questioned whether Carrick had received sufficient backing, arguing that repeatedly changing managers would not solve the club’s underlying problems.

As pressure intensifies on Ratcliffe’s football operation, another club associated with INEOS is reportedly considering terminating a midfielder’s contract.

INEOS weigh up drastic decision over midfielder’s future

According to Footenfrance , INEOS owned-OGC Nice are considering terminating the contract of Salis Abdul Samed.

The 26-year-old Ghana international is reportedly outside manager Olivier Pantaloni’s plans and has not featured in a matchday squad this season.

Abdul Samed joined Nice from Lens in August 2025, having previously represented Clermont and spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Sunderland.

He made 18 Ligue 1 appearances last season but has struggled to establish a future at the French club.

Despite being encouraged to leave during the summer transfer window, the defensive midfielder remains under contract until June 2028.

His reported wages of approximately €120,000 per month are understood to complicate efforts to find a new club.

Terminating his contract could therefore help Nice reduce their wage bill while allowing the player to pursue another opportunity without a transfer fee.

However, no agreement has been reached, and both parties would need to negotiate the terms of any departure.

The situation represents another difficult personnel decision at a club historically associated with Ratcliffe’s INEOS sporting portfolio.