Sir Jim Ratcliffe faces big decision over Man Utd job for Sir Alex Ferguson ally

16 February 2024 , 10:03

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe has a decision to make over one of Sir Alex Ferguson's allies (Image: Simon Stacpoole/Getty Images)

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is keen to put his stamp on things at Manchester United by overhauling the board of directors – but he is yet to make a decision on one key figure.

Ratcliffe’s deal for 25 per cent of the club has now been approved by the Premier League, meaning he is close to being handed sporting control. He has wasted no time in making his presence felt, with Sir Dave Brailsford’s internal audit sparking movement behind the scenes.

Richard Arnold has already stepped down as chief executive, with United subsequently poaching Omar Berrada from Manchester City to fill the position. The club are now aggressively pursuing their next target for the board: Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth.

Ashworth is wanted for the top role at United, with the club also keen to hire Southampton ’s Jason Wilcox and Brighton ’s Sam Jewell in roles underneath him. Things appear to be taking shape, but all the pending arrivals spell uncertainty for those currently occupying important positions at United.

The Daily Mail reports that the INEOS leadership group, led by Ratcliffe, Brailsford and chief executive Jean-Claude Blanc are pondering what to do with Patrick Stewart, who has been interim chief executive since Arnold stepped down. Stewart was previously general counsel at United, is highly regarded at the club and is a close friend of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

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Having hired Berrada, Stewart knows his role is going to change. What he doesn’t yet know is whether he will return to his previous position as general counsel, or have a new role carved out for him by the new regime.

It has previously been reported that INEOS could cut up to 300 jobs at the club in an effort to streamline things and save costs. United increased their staffing levels from around 800 to 1,112 in 2023, but that trend is expected to be reversed, with rivals having many fewer: Liverpool have around 900 employees, Tottenham 750, Manchester City 720 and Arsenal 700.

Patrick Stewart (right) pictured with Sir Dave Brailsford (Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Ratcliffe has lots of experience of running football clubs because he already owns Nice and Lausanne. Former United boss Jose Mourinho is confident he will improve things at the club. He told Rio Ferdinand ’s VIBE with FIVE podcast: “I know Jim Ratcliffe well, I know him very, very well. We had good relations from years ago. I have a very good feeling.

"He’s also a sports man, he loves it which is a very important thing and comes with experience from other experiences from other sports, cycling, I have a good feeling that things can go in the right direction and I hope so. I really hope so.”

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Felix Keith