One of the most intriguing elements of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s imminent acquisition of 25% of Manchester United is the key role Sir David Brailsford is set to play at Old Trafford.
The Ineos director of sport is best known to a wider audience for having led the revival of British cycling.
But having overseen the petro-chemical company’s sports portfolio since 2021, Brailsford is now set to sit on a powerful three-person committee running the football operations of one of the world’s biggest clubs.
It is the latest remarkable twist in a career that has featured much success, but also considerable controversy.
So how did Brailsford, 59, come to be in this position? Can he overhaul the way United is run? Will it work? And is it a risk?
