SIR JIM RATCLIFFE’S sidekick Dave Brailsford showed every emotion possible as he was spotted in the Old Trafford stands during Manchester United’s incredible 3-2 comeback win over Aston Villa.
The two sirs are plotting a major Old Trafford shake-up following Ratcliffe’s 25 per cent takeover of the club – once football chiefs ratify the deal.
And they won’t see a better example of the rollercoaster drama they face than the Boxing Day belter in the Premier League.
Brailsford smiled widely in the early stages – until the former Team GB cycling supremo realised how tough a job he might face to install the winning culture he is famed for.
John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker put Villa up 2-0 up inside the first half-hour as the Red Devils’ recent struggles under Erik ten Hag continued.
Alejandro Garnacho then struck twice after the break to level – before Rasmus Hojlund brought the house down with a United winner courtesy of his first ever Prem goal.
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Brailsford’s face turned to stone when he saw Villa thrive.
One viewer claimed the executive was “seeing just how big a job INEOS has on its hands at United”.
The fan added: “Yet again a collapse after going behind, fans booing, away fans mocking – utterly toothless in attack.”
Another posted: “In front of Brailsford. Get the PLAYERS AND STAFF gone.”
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And a third noted the 59-year-old’s changing expression as he wrote: “His face says everything.”
Brailsford is expected to land a key position alongside a new sporting director – with Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth favourite for that position.
INEOS Director of Sport Brailsford has had big roles at both football clubs the company own – Switzerland’s FC Lausanne-Sport and Nice in France.
And fed-up fans were even more furious as Villa cruised into half-time still 2-0 up.
One joked of the INEOS investment: “The regret starts here.”
And many wondered if the future of manager Ten Hag was now in imminent danger.
But, like Brailsford’s face, that all changed as United roared back to victory.
One fan wrote: “We aren’t done out here yet, MY MANAGER till the very, very end.”
A second added: “Erik ten Hag was, is and will ever be the man of the situation. Trust the process.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
