Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Trawlers Limited, INEOS's deal for 25 per cent of Manchester United have now been signed off. Sir Jim held his fist official interview on the 21st February 2024, revealing his vision and what his intentions would be “Take Manchester Back to the Top”. Sir Jim Ratcliffe is now officially the Co-Owner of Manchester United, in charge of the football operations department.   It is expected that there will be a complete overhaul in terms of structure including re-development or new development of Old Trafford.   The futures of the likes of Murtough, chief financial officer Cliff Baty, interim chief exec Patrick Stewart and chief operating officer Collette Roche, remain undecided but highly likely to depart. Should Man United be forced to pay more than £10m for Dan Ashworth? They're wrecking Newcastle's business.

 

By Mick Ruby

Manchester United has embarked on a transformative journey with the significant announcement of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Trawlers Ltd (INEOS) acquiring a 25% stake in the club, marking a pivotal moment in its history. As the club sets its sights on restructuring its football operations under the new ownership, the magnitude of the task ahead becomes apparent.

 

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has wasted no time signaling a comprehensive overhaul, aiming to assemble top-tier talent across all departments while dismantling what are perceived as lingering vestiges of past administrations' "Jobs for the Boys" culture, particularly associated with former CEO Ed Woodward's regime.

 

Insider reports suggest imminent changes with the advent of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Dave Brailswoth, and newly appointed CEO Omar Berrada. Speculation surrounds the potential departure of key executives, including sporting director John Murtaugh, technical director Darren Fletcher, CFO Patrick Steward, and COO Collette Roche.

John Murtaugh's role, in particular, has come under scrutiny, with criticisms ranging from failing to effectively manage player acquisitions and sales to prioritizing ownership interests over footballing needs. Instances such as the purported overpayment for Ajax Winger Antony Dos Santos and the mishandling of transfer negotiations reflect negatively on Murtaugh's tenure.

John Murtough (right) has taken on too many responsibilities and his role will change

That is John Murtaugh that Overpaid for Ajax Winger Antony Dos Santos (£90 m) while the wingers market value was (£35m) a source within the Antony dos Santos agency told Mufc Realist Tv, they made a meal out of United’s incompetence and mockered the negotiations team lead by Murtaugh. One insider told “who goes away on holiday in the middle of the transfer window?”  Manchester United could have closed the deal early in the window and Ajax would have accepted £35m. Worth to mention, Manchester United made a bid last week of the transfer window hence the price had gone up.

 

Another Insider told “He doesn’t know what he is doing” that is a damming reflection on Murtaugh’s reputation and job description as Director of Football for one of the biggest clubs in the world. Another Insider who is a reputed football agent offered multiple players that the red devils scouting network had recommended. One player such as Moises Caicedo was turned down with a comment “he won’t sell me shirts”?

Caicedo agent ended up getting a deal with Brighton for 4.5m who later sold him to Chelsea for £115m.

The list of failures is long and far greater than his achievements according to our sources and player agents who are in close contact with Murtaugh on daily football transfer business talks. 

Darren Fletcher's appointment as technical director alongside Murtaugh has also raised eyebrows, with questions regarding the clarity of his responsibilities and visible presence within the team's coaching setup. The lack of transparency surrounding Fletcher's role has prompted confusion among supporters and stakeholders alike.

Leaks to the media have further fueled discontent, with accusations of mismanagement, including Manchester United’s Cheif Operating Officer Collette Roche's alleged involvement in mishandling player situations like Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood. However, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has addressed these concerns, promising a thorough review of pertinent matters and decisive actions in his recent press conference.

 

As Manchester United enters this new era under Sir Jim Ratcliffe's stewardship, the focus remains on effecting meaningful change, restoring the club to its former glory, and reclaiming its position at the summit of footballing excellence.

 

it is safe to say we can expect a complete overhaul. The implementation of a wide-ranging new structure.

Indeed, Mufc Realist TV understands that a series of key decisions have already been made. INEOS are on the clock - and have been since they struck a deal for a quarter share of the fallen giants in December.

Following less than two months of close observation, conclusions have been reached. Already, the incomers have identified recruitment as the major area in which immediate improvement is needed. Most United fans could have told them that, but aside from the obvious, a major shake-up will take place across all areas.

 

Sir Dave Brailsford, INEOS director of sport, has been a regular figure at both Carrington and Old Trafford, holding meetings with staff across the buildings. He has been key to decision making as the newcomers file a dossier of evidence and their own action plan.

Insiders have disclosed that while the general view of is one of a bloated organisation – and that cuts are likely to follow in due course – there is a need for more expertise on the football side.

 

That is why Dan Ashworth is likely to arrive from Newcastle United in the near future to replace John Murtagh and why it would come as no surprise if Jason Wilcox was to follow from Southampton to replace Darren Fletcher. It is also why Omar Berrada has been taken from Manchester City to take the reins of chief executive.

Manchester United could have to spend £20million to bring in Dan Ashworth from Newcastle

Significant change is expected - and United fans could be forgiven for wondering how decisions will be made given the number of new arrivals and how the cluttered thinking that has plagued the club since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure will be avoided. However, according to insiders, the clear aim is to ensure that there is a clear distinction of roles and responsibilities among those in executive positions.

 

A knock-on effect is that such a redistribution of power will ensure that there are big demands, an expectation of success and accountability – especially given that workloads should be kept to manageable levels.

 

What will follow over the coming days and weeks is a vast piece of work that includes all areas of what is deemed the football side of the business. While it is early in the relationship, as Mail Sport revealed last week, the widely-held view is that INEOS ‘has the keys’. It will be interesting to see the dynamic when it comes to major financial decisions, such as how the burden of paying for a renovated or rebuilt Old Trafford.

However, at the moment the reality is that the Glazers are at ease with the widescale changes that are being planned and implemented. The view in Florida remains that INEOS, with its wide stable of sporting interests, is better-equipped to carry out the work they hope will improve performance on the field and in turn increase the value of the business in which they remain majority shareholders.

 

As Ratcliffe outlined to staff in early (and well-received) meetings, what happens on the grass trumps everything else. The moves being made are all aimed at ensuring United are successful when it comes to playing football matches.

 

Again, as difficult as that is to comprehend, the view among staff is that football was not always the main consideration previously as United were turned into a commercial powerhouse. New commercial deals had been viewed by many as the key performance indicator, rather than trophies in the cabinet.

 

It is also telling that there is now a welcome acknowledgement that the biggest driver of successful PR is performance on the field. As hard as it is to fathom – that has not always been the case.

 

Indeed, under previous management, questions had been asked as to why coverage in the media was so negative, despite the fact United were in the midst of an appalling run of form. Indeed one former exec was prone to firing text messages to press officers demanding to know why the media had such a big problem as the club limped through another tepid campaign.

 

The two big questions currently being considered are – is there enough expertise in each department and are there the right numbers of the right people? It is a delicate time for many existing members of staff as they wait to find whether they will be integrated into the new system, offered a redefined role or left with no future at the club.

 

As it stands, Ratcliffe sits alongside the Glazers at the top of the tree. Underneath is the club’s PLC board, which includes members of the Glazer family and the likes of interim chief executive Patrick Stewart and chief financial officer Cliff Baty.

 

Then comes the restructured football board, which is where most of the decision-making will originate. Both Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc, INEOS chief executive, will take a hands-on, day-to-day role until they implement their own leadership structure when the aim is to take a step back. Blanc arrived at INEOS following spells at Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain. Also on that board are Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill, who will be leaned on for opinions. A decision on whether to retain long-serving non-executive director Mike Edelson, is one of many expected.

Omar Berrada has been poached from Manchester City to take on the role of chief executive

The focus within INEOS is on United. While the group also own French Champions League chasers Nice, they may well hand over day-to-day involvement as they seek to navigate UEFA’s rules on multi-club ownership. A potential conflict of interest – should both clubs make the competition – is likely to be addressed by Ratcliffe and European football’s governing body before the end of the season.

 

One solution could be a restructure of the Cote D’Azur side, which would see Ratcliffe remain as a major investor in the background while others run the club as a ‘stand-alone’ entity. Brailsford, a key player when INEOS took over at Nice in 2019, has already taken a back seat to focus on the project in Manchester.

 

Highly-regarded Berrada, the new chief executive, will sit below the board and will be reported to by Ashworth when, as expected, he arrives from the north east. Berrada was viewed as an ideal candidate because he has extensive experience working on both the football and commercial sides of the fence. He will also bring expertise from across the city, where the noisy neighbours have won all the shouting matches over the last 10 years.

 

Ashworth will be seen as the ‘football chief’, responsible for recruitment and performance. United are prepared to wait until they get their man in the face of significant demands from Newcastle.

 

Already, that is an important shift in strategy. Panic buys and wasted fortunes have dogged the post-Ferguson years. On the ongoing situation with former England and Brighton man Ashworth, there is a relaxed confidence. If Newcastle want to play hard ball and demand £20m in compensation then so be it.

 

United are aware, as every top flight club now is, of the impact of the Premier League’s financial rules. Newcastle, despite vast Saudi wealth, are not immune. Should they wish to use previous resources on paying the gardening leave of a man who has already told them he sees his future elsewhere then so be it.

 

Indeed, Mufc Realist TV understands that, while they would prefer Ashworth be in place, United are prepared to complete their business in the forthcoming summer window without him.

 

Should Wilcox, another former City man, arrive from Southampton, he is likely to be placed in charge of the performance side, focusing on increasingly important areas such as sports science, on which he will work closely with Brailsford.

 

It is also understood that another hire to sit along Wilcox - who will also report to Ashworth - will follow in due course. That new arrival will focus on recruitment.

The futures of the likes of Murtough, chief financial officer Cliff Baty, interim chief exec Patrick Stewart and chief operating officer Collette Roche, remain undecided.

 

Some United fans will hope for a summer full of ins and outs on the transfer market. The likelihood is of a number of additions in key areas but of a club that will go about its business quietly and quickly. What happens off the field may be at least as interesting, with work already being carried out at speed.

 

While Blanc, viewed as a suave Frenchman, is central to that work, the aim is that when the restructuring is completed a spine of top British talent will form the club’s new DNA.

 

The additional hope is that such DNA will also include winning trophies - and turning Manchester United back into the powerhouse of yesteryear.