Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s first HUGE Man Utd investment revealed

Robin Bairner

• 10 May 2024 07:20 BST
• 3 min read

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority takeover of Manchester United saw him buy more than 27% of the club from the Glazers but crucially saw him promise to transform the fortunes of the Old Trafford outfit.

There are hopes of a summer revolution in the transfer market, with the promise of a squad overhaul, yet the whole infrastructure around Man Utd also needs to be renewed to provide the players and staff with the best conditions possible for success.

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And Ratcliffe’s key right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford has reportedly instructed the club to move away from its Carrington training complex to a new, modern facility.

Brailsford, who worked with Ratcliffe during his time in cycling with Team Sky and the Ineos Grenadiers, has been completing an audit of the club, providing insight into which areas of infrastructure need improvement to allow the team on the park to thrive. Carrington, he says, has to go.

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Brailsford’s ‘nerdy details’

The Manchester Evening News reports: “Brailsford has provided detailed observations on the club, comparing United to his work with Team Sky and the Ineos Grenadiers in cycling.

“Brailsford has imparted ‘lots of little nerdy details’ but there is a feeling the adjustments will raise United's standards to an elite level.

“Brailsford made surreptitious visits to Carrington before the Christmas Eve announcement that Ratcliffe would become a co-owner at United.

“It is understood Brailsford has concluded Carrington is not fit for purpose as an elite sports base.

“Club sources have said the expansion of the women's team and a new £ 7 million building is used by female and academy players have contributed to the condensed environment. United moved to Carrington in January 2000.”

Changing the club’s training base will require a substantial investment from the board, but highlights Ratcliffe’s drive for long-term change at Man Utd, where the future of Old Trafford, too, is coming under scrutiny.