Very few people are capable of doing what Dave Brailsford did during Man Utd win v Aston Villa, says BBC expert

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Manchester United had a notable guest in attendance for the final game of the year at Old Trafford.

After Ineos’ investment in Manchester United was agreed, Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s key advisor Dave Brailsford was in attendance for the match with Aston Villa.

Brailsford got the full Manchester United experience on a memorable night at Old Trafford, with Erik ten Hag’s side going 2-0 down before coming back to win 3-2.

It was a night which showed the club’s fighting spirit, with Manchester United extending a record of more Premier League comebacks than any other club, led by teenager Alejandro Garnacho.

There was plenty to be encouraged about, and the talking point was about the team’s potential, rather than Ineos being urged to make a snap decision over Erik ten Hag‘s future.

Dave Brailsford kept calm

Ineos’ investment will drive Manchester United forward in 2024 and beyond, with the first task in place to set up a leadership committee of experts to steer the club in the right direction.

There was a lot for Brailsford to take in, and despite plenty of camera shots in his direction, Brailsford had his best poker face on and gave absolutely nothing away.

His presence was discussed during the BBC’s How To Buy A Football Club podcast, with former Chelsea footballer and Motherwell chief executive Pat Nevin giving his thoughts.

Nevin explained: “You must be above and beyond it. He had this Sphinx-like air about him, didn’t he. He was trying so hard to give nothing away.

“And that’s what you have to do. That’s a decent start for me. When it’s bad, it’s going to be bad, football clubs will not always be cruise along easily and that certainly won’t be the case at Manchester United.

“He has to show a calm, controlled air. If he does that, that will help a little bit.

“The minute that falters in any way, you know the cameras are on him, and that’s going to be the picture on the back pages, and television screens.

“He will have felt all the things that you know and I know and every fan feels as well, he’ll have felt them all during that game. He already knows. He can’t show that.

“There’s not many people capable of doing that.”

Manchester United don’t need a distraction

There might have been some who would welcome a bit passion on display from someone in the boardroom, after 18 years of total Glazer ownership and disinterest, and that’s understandable.

But the sight of Brailsford jumping up and down and celebrating would have got tired very quickly, especially if he is seen to be visibly showing anger and displeasure at a defeat.

This would be the kind of distraction Manchester United do not need. There is always enough going on at this club without anybody adding to it, or being accused of playing up for the cameras.

United fans want Ineos to be professional and run this club properly, with smart, carefully planned out decisions.

Brailsford has passed the first test. He showed self-control, not to be swept up in the emotion of the win and become the story, overshadowing the team

United need decision makers who can make the hard choices under pressure, which often means backing the manager and not getting caught up in social media anger, and making impulse decisions.

There’s a fine line between looking pensive and thoughtful, and looking emotionless and disinterested. Brailsford got it right, and on a rollercoaster night at Old Trafford, it certainly was not an easy one to keep his thoughts to himself.

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