05 January 2024 , 11:53
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe finally arrived at Manchester United on Wednesday after agreeing a deal to buy a 25 per cent stake in the Premier League giants.
The British billionaire will take charge of all football matters at Old Trafford - including over the men's, academy and women's teams - once his deal is ratified by the Premier League. INEOS director Dave Brailsford is set to act as Ratcliffe's man on the ground in Manchester.
But Ratcliffe has also shown his willingness to take a hands-on approach to his new responsibilities at the Red Devils by visiting the club's Carrington training ground. Here, Mirror Football looks at five things noticed from his visit on Wednesday.
Meeting the boss
One of the first people Ratcliffe met during his visit was Erik ten Hag. The United boss has come under pressure for his side's recent poor performances and results, with some suggestions he may be replaced.
But both the Dutchman and his new chief appeared to be happy to see each other. And Ten Hag has insisted in his latest press conference that the meeting this week was a constructive one.
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He said: "Very positive, I have to say. We had a long meeting, for many hours we sat together. We were, on many issues, on the same page, so very positive. I think also from both sides I can say that it was a very constructive meeting and we're looking forward to working with each other."
Hello to Hojlund
Rasmus Hojlund was one of the players Ratcliffe met (Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Who should be Man Utd's top target in the January window? Comment below.
After Ten Hag, the next port of call was United's most expensive signing of the recent summer transfer window. Rasmus Hojlund has struggled to find form in the Premier League since his arrival.
United, driven by Ratcliffe's new boardroom team, are likely to bring in attacking reinforcements in the January transfer window. But Hojlund was happy to meet United's new football chief.
The Denmark international was introduced to both Ratcliffe and Brailsford, with Ten Hag's assistant boss Steve McLaren standing alongside the group. All four men had smiles on their faces, indicating that Hojlund is still seen as United's future.
No ego
The billionaire also met long-serving receptionist Kath Phipps (Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images))It was not only the big names who Ratcliffe met though, with the billionaire immediately showing he will not approach the job with any ego. On his way into Carrington, Ratcliffe met long-serving receptionist Kath Phipps.
Phipps has spent 55 years working at the club and recetly hinted she is keen to remain at United for some time to come. She said: “I still enjoy it. I know I’m getting old, but I don’t think I could stay at home. It keeps my brain working. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Whole club mentality
Ratcliffe showed his commitment to a whole club mentality by meeting women's players Katie Zelem and Millie Turner (Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images)Ratcliffe showed off his desire to take a 'whole-club' approach to United. The billionaire met with women's team stars Aoife Mannion, Katie Zelem and Millie Turner in the Carrington complex's gym.
Like the men's side, the women's team are also looking to have an improved showing in the second half of the campaign. United currently sit fourth in the Women's Super League, with boss Marc Skinner hoping to close the gap on leaders Chelsea.
He said: "We need to improve. We find ourselves seven points behind. Camps like this can really invigorate the players and help them feel good going into the next steps. We can all know tactics and prepare tactically but it’s [also about] the feelgood factor of the players."
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Complaints review
Former United star Cristiano Ronaldo made his unhappiness very clear over the state of the club's training facilities. During his visit, Ratcliffe was given a full tour, including watching a men's team training session on the pitches, with the billionaire insisting that investments will be made.
Ratcliffe said: "We will bring the global knowledge, expertise and talent from the wider INEOS Sport group to help drive further improvement at the Club, while also providing funds intended to enable future investment into Old Trafford."