04 January 2024 , 13:58
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Sir Alex Ferguson once told Sir Dave Brailsford to "get rid of the disruptive influences" and the cycling supremo has never forgotten it.
Brailsford is one of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's trusted lieutenants and is set to have an influence at Manchester United. The former boss at Team Sky, who dominated the Tour de France, has achieved huge success as a team manager and will now be part of Ineos' takeover with the Welshman already seen in the stands at games.
He's been spotted next to Ferguson, a man whose brain he used to pick as he took inspiration from the way in which the Scot continued to enjoy success in Manchester. Now those lessons could form part of his philosophy as he gets stuck into his latest project.
The Ineos group, led by Ratcliffe, have taken charge of the club's football operations having secured their minority takeover at Old Trafford. They are ready to make major changes to the way things are done following years of underachievement.
Brailsford has become best known for his term "marginal gains" - which he employed when in charge of British cycling before they went on to conquer the Olympics. The 59-year-old's temperament has made him a feared figure, but those who've observed him have told Sky Sports that his silences are more 'frightening'.
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The former Team Sky boss never let Ferguson's advice go and employed it to his cycling outfit. He was told by the Scot how vital it was that everyone was on the same page and heading in the same direction. Brailsford would engage in conversations with physios and other team members before deciding whether or not to retain them.
Sir Dave Brailsford has been sat next to Sir Alex Ferguson at recent Man Utd matchesHAVE YOUR SAY: What should Ineos tackle first at United? Let us know in the comments below.
Ferguson has remained a regular in the Old Trafford stands as several managers try and fail to replicate his success. The current team are in the midst of the club's worst season in decades with pressure mounting on Erik ten Hag - Brailsford was in the stands for the loss at Nottingham Forest.
The squad has long been criticised for its attitude and those frustrations have risen once again. United have been accused over the past decade of buying big names whose personalities didn't fit at the club and, as a result, damaged the dressing room.
It appears as though Brailsford will not stand for that kind of atmosphere having been quick to cut it out in his previous roles. Numerous United players could fall foul of Brailsford's discipline with the club developing a habit of players who underperform with issues involving the likes of Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford occurring this season.