Credit: Imago / Getty Images

Harri Burton

Mon 31 March 2025 15:21, UK

INEOS and Sir Dave Brailsford have overseen a surprisingly disappointing management of a key department at Man United despite public complaints from Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

The Red Devils only continue to fall further behind their rivals on and off the pitch, with Ruben Amorim‘s team sinking to 13th in the Premier League table with just nine matches of the campaign remaining.

Despite securing a spot in the Europa League quarter-finals, many Man United supporters are ready to part ways with Amorim, just five months are replacing Ruud van Nistelrooy.

United have not just taken a beating on the pitch, with Ratcliffe, who continues to make the brunt of Ineos’ decisions, being accused of running Man United into the ground by match-day fans.

One of the biggest mistakes made by the new owners looks to be the sacking of Dominic Jordan, the club’s former Head of Data Science, causing United to fall even further behind their rivals off the pitch.

Jordan did incredibly well to build such an important department for the Red Devils after years of neglect, only for it to be dismantled by the arrival of Ineos as key backers of the data-driven approach such as Richard Arnold and John Murtough departed, despite calls since from Ratcliffe to develop the processes.

Ineos continue to tear Man United apart behind the scenes

According to The Telegraph [31 March], a void was left after Jordan’s sacking in the wake of Dan Ashworth’s arrival, one which has yet to be filled at Old Trafford.

It is understood that “strangely” Dave Brailsford is not thought to have even sat down to speak with Jordan about his role during his time in Manchester, with Ashworth then asked to present data on potential replacements for Erik ten Hag in October.

Reportedly some at the club have been left to wonder what messages on data are being passed back to Ratcliffe.

Ineos have chosen against making data-driven decisions, with no permanent data appointments being made since the summer of 2023, though Gary Hemingway is currently overseeing the department.

Ruben Amorim must be afforded more time at Old Trafford

Football Insider verdict

Richard Keys believes Amorim might already have one eye on the Man United exit doors, and as the current behind-the-scenes trends continue, it would be no surprise at all.

With United sitting 13th in the Premier League table, supporters are, understandably, frustrated with the manager, but many are beginning to see the problems further up the food chain.

Amorim is unlikely to complete a squad overhaul at Man United as Ratcliffe continues to cut costs at every corner, letting many workers go and causing more frustrations for the supporters.

There have been sparks of rare positivity, and with Patrick Dorgu added to the squad, the Red Devils can begin to find some stability, but it is likely going to take a few seasons to get the club competing again.

It will be a long journey back to where United once were, with those around them such as Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City only going to come back stronger, but the foundations are starting to be built.