Man United executive facing axe as part of “brutal” Sir Dave Brailsford Old Trafford plans

Sir Dave Brailsford is believed to be leading INEOS’ control of Manchester United’s football operations, and big changes are planned at Old Trafford in the coming months.

The Ineos sporting director is assessing former staff at Manchester United, and a source has told Manchester Evening News that the expected changes could be “brutal.”

Brailsford is evaluating United’s performances in recent years as he hopes to gauge the club’s chances of winning a title 12 years after the successful 2012/13 Premier League campaign.  

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John Murtough – United’s current football director – hopes to remain at the club, but it is believed that his future hangs “in the balance” with a potential forced exit on the cards, just like his compatriot, former club CEO Richard Arnold.

Murtough – who has been at the club for 10 years – has been resentful of Erik ten Hag who has neglected the football director regarding transfers.

The Dutch manager has received more than £400 million in investment for transfers since his appointment in April 2022.

However, Murtough is said to be frustrated as six of Ten Hag’s permanent additions have all played in the Dutch league – the Eredivisie.

While Lisandro Martinez – who joined Manchester United from Ajax in 2022 – has been highly successful in his career with the Red Devils, the jury remains out for players such as Antony and Andre Onana.

As the club is expected to hire a sporting director and head of recruitment, it is likely that Murtough will be replaced as football director and moved to a more administrative role.

Meanwhile, Jean Claude Blanc – the Ineos chief executive for sport – will join Brailsford as a new member of the United football board.

Blanc and Brailsford accompanied Ineos Chairman and new Manchester United investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe at meetings with United fan groups on Monday.