Andy Cole agrees with Sir Jim Ratcliffe on latest Sir Alex Ferguson decision at Man United

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to take over football operations at Manchester United as part of his 25 per cent investment into the Glazer family’s stake at the club.

The British billionaire is already beginning to shake up the hierarchy at Old Trafford after it was confirmed that Richard Arnold will be leaving the club as chief executive last week.

Recent reports have also stated that John Murtough will ‘definitely’ be leaving the club as well as the Ineos chiefs search for a top-class sporting director.

One report from the Telegraph, in particular, has explained that Ratcliffe is expected to take guidance from Sir Alex Ferguson as he prepares an overhaul at United.

The 71-year-old will lean on the Scottish legend for advice and guidance over some matters, which is said to be a boost to Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman, who is a long-term ally of Ferguson.

This decision is something supported by former United striker Andy Cole, who believes that the club needs to build their identity rather than change from manager to manager.

“This is my opinion, but when you look at the examples of Real Madrid and Barcelona, I don’t believe a manager should come in and completely change the way a club plays,” he told BetFred.

“There needs to be a common identity that represents the history of a football club. Now if Sir Jim Ratcliffe is going to consult Sir Alex and try and get Manchester United playing the way Manchester United should play, then you can understand it because of how successful the club was under the stewardship of Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Matt Busby and how they gave the club its identity. 

“There have been so many managers that have come in after Sir Alex left and each of them have implemented their own style of play and for me, that shouldn’t be happening. When Steve Jobs passed away, did Apple change their approach? No, it’s tried and tested and it works.

“There have been five permanent managers in the ten years since Sir Alex Ferguson departed and they’ve all played a different way and they would have required major changes in their playing staff for each of them to have been successful. 

“There have been some really good players that have moved to Old Trafford during that period and for whatever reason, it’s not worked out for a lot of them. Manchester United needs to get back to what Manchester United are.”