Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe must address three important things at Manchester United after he became co-owner of the Premier League club.
That is according to Manchester United legend Gary Neville, who has broken down the scale of the task awaiting Sir Jim Ratcliffe at Old Trafford.
Ratcliffe, who is a boyhood United fan, captured a minority stake in the club and his purchase was later ratified by the Football Association and the Premier League.
As part of his minority stake in United in 2023, the 71-year-old British billionaire’s Ineos team has taken control of football operations at the Premier League club.
Ratcliffe has insisted that he is keen to restore United’s prestige and place in English football since iconic former manager Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
United have made changes behind the scenes since Ratcliffe’s arrival, including Omar Berrada becoming the new chief executive of the Premier League club.
Jason Wilcox has also been appointed technical director, while former Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth is believed to be on the radar for Ineos.
According to reports in May, Ratcliffe’s plans at United include an overhaul of the Carrington training complex as major changes are expected in the future.
Ratcliffe’s minority stake deal also included £237m of funds to be used for the redevelopment of United’s iconic Old Trafford stadium.
Neville’s ‘three things’ Man Utd need to do
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has openly spoken about Manchester United’s need for a new stadium and his desire to have a venue seen as the ‘Wembley of the North.’
Old Trafford has been long overdue for a major face-lift and rival fans – along with United supporters – have often taken aim over the ‘leaky roof’ at the stadium.
Gary Neville was named as one of the members of the ‘Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force’ back in March, with the aim of reviving the Old Trafford area.
Joining the United legend on the task force includes other high-profile figures, including Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.
Speaking on the UTD Podcast, Neville revealed that two important factors for United are having the best stadium and the best training complex in the world.
The Sky Sports pundit insisted that only if the two aforementioned points are done ‘right’ will United have a better chance of achieving his third ambition.
Neville believes that United’s third object is that “we have to win,” but admitted that he is a “little patient” on that matter compared with the first two issues.
“There are three things I feel that Manchester United have to do, or at least two they have to do and one they should try and do,” he said, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“One is that we have to have the best stadium in the world. Two is that we have to have the best training ground in the world and three is that we have to win.
“The third one, actually, I’m a little patient on. I’m a Manchester United fan; things move in cycles. You can’t always win.
“But if number one and two are right, and if you have the right people in the club, you’ve got a great chance of number three happening.”
Neville on stadium for Man Utd
Neville has admitted that he is open to the idea of United keeping their current stadium so long as they can replicate what Real Madrid and Barcelona achieved.
“I’m not one of those people that says we can’t develop behind while we still play here and then move into a new stadium,” he said.
“On the other hand, if the best solution is to refurbish the current stadium and do what Real Madrid and Barcelona have done, which is essentially wrap their stadium and sort of, if you like, fit it from the inside out, then if that is the best solution, then I’m not against it.”