‘Man United have just reversed huge blunder – but the damage is done’
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Man United takeover has so far proved a disaster with the club sinking backwards in the 18 months since his investment was confirmed.
INEOS director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford was handed a leadership role at Old Trafford once Ratcliffe took over the club’s football operations.
The Athletic has now reported (4 June) that Brailsford is now relinquishing his day-to-day role at the club amid a recalibration of the United executive team.
He had no background in football and rose to prominence as a cycling coach before becoming involved in Ratcliffe’s other club – Ligue 1 side Nice.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has claimed the damage may already be done, even if Ratcliffe’s decision to sideline Brailsford is a positive one.
‘I am not a Brailsford fan’, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted United have “got rid of some very talented individuals” since Ratcliffe took control of football operations.
The British billionaire has enacted swift cost-cutting and redundancy measures at Old Trafford, moves he says are to help restore profitability to the 20-times English champions.
Wyness insisted Brailsford did not bring “marginal gains” to Man United – but rather “continual marginal mistakes”.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I’m not a Brailsford fan, let me be clear.
“When you’ve been inside football for as long as I and many other people have, you understand that it isn’t just about the structure you put in place.
“Brailsford has been all about structures, but you’ve also got to know who is good at their job – and know what good looks like within the industry.
“He’s not had that touch. They’ve got rid of some very talented individuals.
“I think they’ve been slaves to the Brailsford structure, when football is a very delicate organism.
“You’ve also got to keep the spirit in a club. It’s so fragile, but they’ve come in with a blunt instrument to change things.
“That is my biggest criticism of Brailsford.
“I think finally Ratcliffe is seeing that it wasn’t the best way. He’s leaving the football adults in charge.
“Let’s see how it goes. Brailsford is all about marginal gains, but as far as I can see it has just been continual marginal mistakes.
“I think it’s good for United.”
Major Mbeumo to Man United update
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (6 June) that Man United and Brentford are expected to reach a compromise over the transfer of Bryan Mbeumo.
It is believed the Bees will hold out for a fee of around £60-65million for Mbeumo, who has emerged as a top United target.
The Red Devils have only offered a bid of £45million plus £10million in add-ons so far.
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