17 October 2023 , 12:30
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos group are nearing the completion of a £1.4bn deal that will see them buy 25 per cent of Manchester United.
It is subject to a United board vote on Thursday and while they are expected to approve Ratcliffe's proposal, the process may still have some time left to run before reaching completion as final negotiations take place before a mountain of dense paperwork must be worked through.
But if a deal does end up being completed and Ratcliffe, a childhood fan from Failsworth in east Manchester, assumes control of football operations a number of key decisions will need to be made in his first weeks in charge.
Here are four of the most pressing issues for Ratcliffe and his experienced team to consider should they be given one of the keys to Old Trafford.
Transparency over Glazer say
The most contentious element of Ineos’ partial takeover is the reality that Avram and Joel Glazer will maintain a majority stake for now when fans had been begging for their departure.
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For obvious reasons that will infuriate many supporters and Ineos (because history indicates the Glazers will not) could do far worse than providing a clear explanation of how responsibilities will be split.
All indications are that the new faces will run football operations but with only a minor shareholding can they still be vetoed? Transparency is a must from the outset.
Fix chaotic recruitment
In the summer Erik ten Hag said he believed United has become a more desirable destination for players compared to when he took over as head coach last summer.
"There were a lot of reservations last year when I spoke with players and now many players see the project, what's going on, the dynamic and the ambition in this project, the quality especially,” he said. “They are really keen to come, I've noticed that.”
Yet following through on his priorities was a tricky task considering questions around a fluctuating budget. Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana, Sofyan Amrabat and Mason Mount may all have arrived but none of those are exceptional talents capable of turning United into a genuine title contender.
If a key part of the Ratcliffe deal is for Ineos, and a collection of decision-makers including former British Cycling chief Sir Dave Brailsford, to assume control of the club's footballing operation then a new system must be put in place for the January transfer window and beyond to limit the number of dud arrivals and clear out some of the fringe players Ten Hag does not rate.
Manchester United CEO Richard Arnold (left) and director of football John Murtough at Old Trafford (PA)Restructuring
Immediate wholesale changes behind the scenes are unlikely to take place on day one but any new owner will look to shape the hierarchy exactly how they want it.
The extent of executive overhaul remains to be seen considering the Glazers remain majority owners and among the questions to consider are: Who will sit on the board? Who from the current top brass will remain and depart? Will the structure around player recruitment change dramatically?
Early reports suggest John Murtough's job as football director may be at risk or in the best-case scenario for him, responsibilities will be diminished. Yet Richard Arnold, the chief executive who has been criticised for the club's recent handling of off-field issues, may be safe as his role is focused away from the pitch.
The complete change in off-field personnel at Chelsea shows that too much alteration at one time can have detrimental effects on the pitch. It is something to be wary of as the club enters a new era.
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Fan commitment
The most important element and something that is not going to happen overnight. United’s fanbase has become so disenfranchised with the way their club has been run by the Glazers, convincing the hardcore of a better future is going to take a bit of time.
Point one certainly does not help in this regard - but meaningful dialogue with supporter groups and promises of direct involvement via means such as a beefed-up fan advisory board would be important first steps.