Jean-Claude Blanc and Sir Dave Brailsford ‘will be sent to Man United next month by Sir Jim Ratcliffe to scrutinise every department – but no ‘snap decisions will be made’, with the Ineos chiefs conducting a ‘watch, listen and learn’ exercise’

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s trusted lieutenants Sir Dave Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc will be sent to Man United’s Carrington training base next month to begin their in-depth analysis into the club. 

Ratcliffe took a 25 per cent stake in United on Christmas Eve for £1.3bn – subject to ratification from the Premier League – after a long-winded sale process that began in November 2022. 

The British billionaire has plenty on his plate as he prepares to take control of a team down in eighth place in the Premier League table and has already pledged to invest £245m in the club.

While the hugely unpopular Glazers remain in ultimate control of United, there is hope the Ineos chief – who is set to oversee footballing matters – can bring some positive changes to the club.

And, according to the Telegraph, Brailsford – who is Ineos’ Director of Sport – and Blanc – who is Ineos Sport’s CEO – will watch United’s football operation close up at both Carrington and Old Trafford across January.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s trusted lieutenants Sir Dave Brailsford (left) and Jean-Claude Blanc (right) will be sent to Man United’s training base in January to begin their analysis into the club

The British billionaire finally took a 25 per cent stake at United on Christmas Eve for £1.3bn

While a sporting director will be appointed eventually, Brailsford and Blanc’s work will see every department across the footballing side of the club scrutinised, including data analysis, recovery, psychology and injury prevention, while discussions will also be held on how the group can improve Old Trafford.

Ratcliffe will be the ultimate power broker and is expected to have a key focus on recruitment and scouting. 

However, the British billionaire won’t rush any decisions or have direct control in January as his deal is still awaiting ratification from the Premier League.

As a result, the report goes onto highlight how no ‘snap decisions will be made’ in the meantime, with the coming weeks set to be a ‘watch, listen and learn exercise’, according to insiders.

This will allow the under-pressure Erik ten Hag some breathing space and give him a chance to impress the new regime after overseeing 13 defeats in 26 games in all competitions this season.

This included an embarrassing group stage exit in the Champions League, where United finished bottom of a group that also featured Bayern Munich, FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray.

Despite the club’s troubled season so far, no ‘snap decisions will be made’ by the new regime 

Although the Glazers (pictured – Joel and Avram) will still be consulted during full board meetings on budgets, Ratcliffe has assurances that he has full control on footballing matters

Consequently, the real impact of the Ineos era at United won’t fully be felt until the summer.

Although the Glazers will still be consulted during full board meetings on budgets, the report claims Ratcliffe has assurances that he has full control on footballing matters. 

His deal to acquire 25 per cent of the club is set to be ratified after the January transfer window.

United are back in action when they entertain Aston Villa at Old Trafford at 8PM on Boxing Day, before then travelling to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest on December 30.