As soon as the ink dried on the deal that brought Sir Jim Ratcliffe to Manchester United, it was clear that a revolution was about to take place at the club. For years, the Glazer family’s mismanagement had led to unqualified individuals being promoted to key positions within the technical side of the club, and unsurprisingly, they all failed miserably.
From Ed Woodward to Richard Arnold and John Murtough, Manchester United had been lacking a proper sporting structure for a decade. This left them years behind their rivals like Manchester City and Liverpool, presenting Ratcliffe with a monumental task of turning the club around.
To rebuild the sporting structure, Ineos plans to introduce a system that rivals the likes of Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and RB Leipzig. They aim to bring in the best-in-class professionals to operate in specific roles within the new technical department.
No longer will transfer deals stagnate as United employees wait for the Glazers to return their calls from Tampa. Ineos plans to set a budget for the technical team and allow them to get on with their job without interference.
Omar Berrada has already been signed from Manchester City as CEO, and Dan Ashworth is the top candidate to oversee all footballing operations. However, Ashworth is currently on gardening leave at Newcastle United, which may delay Ineos from assembling their dream team. Julian Ward or Jason Wilcox are being considered to head negotiations and transfer strategy, with Wilcox currently employed by Southampton and Ashworth on leave at Newcastle.
Ward, who recently ended his time with Liverpool, would be the easiest deal for United to complete in the short term.
In conclusion, Ratcliffe’s arrival at Manchester United signals a much-needed revolution at the club. With Ineos planning to introduce a proper sporting structure and bring in top professionals, the club hopes to catch up with their rivals and return to their former glory.
