Manchester United are embarking on a new chapter under the guidance of new investors Ineos, who aim to get the club back to the top.
Manchester United’s new lease of life under Ineos is off to a positive start, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe already making clear how he will judge success on trophies and not bank balance.
In a meeting with staff last week he also pledged Ineos would be present at Manchester United, a stark contrast to the Glazers.
Ratcliffe is busy putting his team in place, and former British cycling guru Sir Dave Brailsford is a key part of this.
Brailsford wanted Amad
Brailsford has several years football experience, in recent seasons helping to guide Nice back towards the top end of Ligue 1. They currently rank in second place, on course to secure Champions League football.
This time has allowed Brailsford to network and build up contacts, which will help his endeavours at Manchester United.
He even reached out to Manchester United two summers ago, according to The Athletic, travelling to Manchester to meet football director John Murtough, to discuss a deal.
The player of interest was Amad, who Brailsford admired, and believed Nice could play a big role in his development with a season long loan.
What happened next for Amad
A deal did not get done, with Manchester United sending Amad out on loan to Sunderland for the season.
It’s unclear whether this was United’s decision or Amad’s, or a joint one, but Brailsford will no doubt feel disappointed a deal did not get done.
Amad went on to have a starring role for Sunderland in the Championship, with the loan deal one of Manchester United’s best in 2022/23, where he scored 16 goals.
It was an important one to get right after an indifferent time at Rangers, and Amad gained crucial experience in English football.
Brailsford’s eye for talent
Brailsford won’t be heading up Manchester United’s recruitment department. He is savvy enough to delegate that out. Paul Mitchell is one of the names linked.
But this does show he could be involved at some level when it comes to negotiating and representing the club. Even though this deal did not get done, it was a sign of his ambition to try and bring a top Manchester United prospect to Nice.
Murtough might now wish he had struck a deal with Brailsford at the time. The Ineos advisor will have some role in deciding his future. Manchester United are expected to move him into a different role to make room for their own chosen appointments.
As for Amad, he’s a special talent who Brailsford will be watching, to ensure Manchester United have a plan in place for him. This is an instance where United did sign a top young talent before he ‘made it big’, and have tried to develop him into a first team player.
A pre-season injury put those plans on hold. He is now fit again and aiming to make an impact for Erik ten Hag in the second half of the campaign, to make up for lost time.
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