'Step up' - Sir Dave Brailsford fires warning to underperforming Man Utd stars as INEOS await green light for Sir Jim Ratcliffe minority takeover

Brailsford, INEOS' director of sport who transformed British cycling, visited United's training ground last week with Sir Jim Ratcliffe for the first time since the firm agreed to buy a stake in the club. He has been conducting an internal review on behalf of Ratcliffe. According to The Athletic, he told the club's football staff that they needed to raise their game and that the new sporting regime would not accept anything below 'world-class' standards.

INEOS agreed to take charge of United's sporting operation in exchange for purchasing a 25 percent stake in the club for £1.25 billion ($1.58bn). The deal still needs regulatory approval from the Premier League and Brailsford, Ratcliffe and co are not expected to take charge until late February. Their arrival comes amid the club's worst start to a season in the Premier League era, with United also suffering a humiliating exit from the Champions League. The tone of Brailsford's words to staff was described as 'collegiate', but he reportedly made it clear that change was in the air and there would be more pressure to perform.

United have already lost nine times after 20 Premier League matches, as many defeats as they suffered in the entirety of the 2022-23 season.

The Red Devils will hope to lift the mood when they visit League One strugglers Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup on Monday. They then face a hugely testing Premier League game against Tottenham on Sunday. They will hope the ratification of Ratcliffe's takeover is completed within the expected timeframe.