Man United players react to private Sir Dave Brailsford meetings, one topic “off limits”

INEOS have started consulting Manchester United players regarding the future of the club, with Sir Dave Brailsford leading conversations with the players.

Manchester United is currently undergoing a major restructuring, and new owners Ineos have not been shy after agreeing to purchase a minority stake in December.

Since then, Omar Berrada was appointed as the new chief executive, and he is expected to be just the first of several backroom changes, with Jason Wilcox and Dan Ashworth to follow as technical and sporting directors, respectively.

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And, according to The Telegraph, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s right-hand man, Sir Dave Brailsford, has been conducting one-on-one meetings with United players to get their opinions on the club’s future.

Brailsford has been a key figure since taking the role as director of INEOS Sport and is one of the earliest to arrive and latest to leave every day.

The discussions, which were held with almost every first-team player, are said to have left players “impressed players and left them feeling optimistic over the future with INEOS now in charge of football operations”.

Discussions focused on INEOS’ plans to restore Manchester United’s short- and long-term success, and players were offered the chance to give their opinions on these plans.

Under the Glazers, players and staff were left “in the dark” over the club’s vision, and therefore, Brailsford’s hands-on approach has been seen as a massive positive within the club, with the players reacting positively and sharing these thoughts after the meetings.

However, one thing was made clear in the meetings: there would be no discussions regarding Erik ten Hag‘s future.

It is believed that, ahead of a series of crucial fixtures which could end in silverware for Manchester United, Brailsford did not want to undermine Ten Hag.

Despite this, reports suggest that many outside of the club still expect the 54-year-old manager to be replaced, but nothing was said in Brailsford’s player meetings to suggest this was the case or who would replace the Dutchman should he leave the club.