Manchester United are being closely assessed by new investors Ineos as they get their feet under the table.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe was in attendance at Old Trafford at the weekend for Manchester United’s first home game of 2024.
While he said he won’t be able to attend every match, there is likely to be a key figure from Ineos present, whether that be their head of sport Jean-Claude Blanc, or advisor Sir Dave Brailsford, it’s clear the new investors intend to be present.
Ratcliffe has made a positive impression on United supporters – but has the club impressed Ineos?
Ineos concern
Ineos have a little time to wait until their investment is formally ratified by the Premier League. It is expected to be next month.
During this period they are taking stock, and looking at Manchester United on and off the pitch, to see what needs to change, and what can stay as it is.
According to The Mail, there is one area of focus which has already stood out as concerning to Sir Dave Brailsford.
Brailsford has reportedly noted a level of overstaffing behind the scenes, which is expected to feed into Ineos’ plans.
This could end up with job cuts – which may be framed negatively – but it also would be done to try and make Manchester United more streamlined. Money saved would be reinvested into other areas.
Glazer bloat
It is not a surprise to consider Manchester United is being run inefficiently, with the way the Glazers have run the club.
The club’s American owners have run the club remotely, do not attend matches nor club functions, and will have employed senior staff to do it for them. Are all of them really necessary, when Ineos will bring in their own expertise?
This can track lower down too, with The Athletic reporting last year: “Stories abound that more than one United scout has turned up at the same game.”
The scouting operation was labelled bloated and unrefined, and recruitment has certainly been the major area of failure at the club over the past decade.
Ineos are expected to bring in a head of recruitment, but for this to be effective, the whole operation needs to be properly functional.
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