Manchester United players emerged from a recent meeting with INEOS chief Sir Dave Brailsford feeling unimpressed and frustrated. Following INEOS’ acquisition of a 27.7% stake in the club and control of all football operations, Brailsford addressed the first-team squad to share his vision for the club’s future. However, sources indicate the meeting did not resonate well with the players.
Brailsford, who is known for his role in revitalizing British cycling, reportedly spoke about his luxurious lifestyle on an exclusive street in Monte Carlo, expressing his commitment to helping United improve. Players reportedly left the room “rolling their eyes and shaking their heads,” feeling as though they were expected to be grateful for his presence while witnessing ongoing cost-cutting measures within the club.
The mood among the squad has been further dampened by significant layoffs, including over 250 redundancies, and the recent axing of Sir Alex Ferguson’s global ambassador role. Eric Cantona, a club legend, criticized this decision, calling it “scandalous.” As the season progresses, the challenges facing United have become increasingly apparent, with the team struggling in 14th place under manager Erik ten Hag, who is under growing pressure despite a contract extension following last May’s FA Cup victory
