Manchester United have taken the first step in establishing a strategic partnership as part of a multi-sport group.
Manchester United investors Ineos are not new to football. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co have experience running clubs in Switzerland with Lausanne-Sport and in France with Nice.
And while like with any clubs, these have provided trials and tribulations along the way, each have helped to prepare Ineos for the biggest challenge in football, trying to turn Manchester United around.
Ratcliffe’s ownership of Nice has generated the most attention, of the two. With both clubs competing in the 2024/25 Europa League, this led to UEFA rules blocking Manchester United from signing centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo.
And if that was a negative, then it is lower-key Lausanne-Sport who could turn Ineos’ spread tentacles into a positive.
Manchester United partnering with Lausanne
Earlier this week, three talented Manchester United youngsters went to Switzerland for a training camp with the Swiss club.
Winger Ethan Williams, right-back Habeeb Ogunneye and centre-back Jack Kingdon were invited to make the trip.
They were accompanied by United head of academy Nick Cox, with United in the infancy of establishing a strategic partnership with the Swiss side.
Lausanne released a statement, fronted by their sporting director, former Liverpool defender Stephane Henchoz.
He said: “This trial week allows for a first general temperature check for the three young Manchester players, as well as for the members of the staff present as well as for our first team.
“It is possible that players from the English club will continue their development within our club in the near future.
“Conversely, the two clubs also want to provide the players of the FC Lausanne-Sport Academy with the infrastructure and experience that a few weeks’ training camp in Manchester can offer.
“It is already planned that teams from our academy will travel to England this winter to compete against the junior teams of the Manchester club. These exchanges, which will benefit everyone, will become more and more regular.”
Ineos multi-club model
The multi-club model can benefit Manchester United in a number of ways, and one is hinted at in Henchoz’s statement.
He suggests the United prospects could ‘continue their development’ at Lausanne, which suggests a loan move is a distinct possibility.
Williams, Ogunneye and Kingdon are all at a level where they would benefit from senior football. Last season Ogunneye made the first team bench for United several times.
Lausanne are in the top flight of the Swiss top tier and could benefit from a trio of young United stars in the second half of the season.
The partnership could end up working in other ways too. Since Brexit, Manchester United have been unable to sign foreign players under 18, with Alejandro Garnacho’s signing in the final wave of acquisitions.
Having a partner club would allow United to sign-and-loan, or simply for Lausanne to buy the players directly, with the promise of a pathway to Old Trafford.
Earlier this year Lausanne signed Italian talent Simone Pafundi on loan, a player who made his senior international debut for his country at just 16.
If Pafundi signs permanently with Lausanne, and continues his development, he could one day become United-bound, if he earns it with his performances.
Ineos are clearly looking at this partnership from both sides, with the view of strengthening both clubs, and at some stage, Nice may factor in too, if it makes sense for all parties.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
