Sir David Brailsford was in attendance again as Manchester United faced Nottingham Forest away on Saturday night.

Brailsford, the director of sport for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group, also watched United’s 3-2 win against Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

The 59-year-old was seen sitting alongside legendary former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. 

The deal is subject to Premier League approval, which is expected to take between four and six weeks. 

Sir David Brailsford was seen sitting alongside Sir Alex Ferguson at the City Ground

Last weekend United announced Ratcliffe’s £1.3billion deal for 25 per cent of the club

Ratcliffe’s INEOS group owns a number of sports clubs including Nice.

When the deal is ratified INEOS will be responsible for signings as well as decisions regarding hiring and firing managers.

Ratcliffe has yet to be seen at a United game since the announcement, with Brailsford representing him.

Brailsford was previously performance director of British Cycling and is currently team prinicpal of WorldTeam Ineos Grenadiers. 

After the announcement regarding his deal, Ratcliffe said: ‘As a local boy and a lifelong supporter, I am very pleased that we have been able to agree a deal with the Manchester United Board that delegates us management responsibility of the football operations of the Club.

‘Whilst the commercial success of the club has ensured there have always been available funds to win trophies at the highest level, this potential has not been fully unlocked in recent times.

‘We will bring the global knowledge, expertise and talent from the wider INEOS Sport group to help drive further improvement at the club, while also providing funds intended to enable future investment into Old Trafford.

‘We are here for the long term and recognise that a lot of challenges and hard work lie ahead, which we will approach with rigour, professionalism and passion.

Ratcliffe admitted that a lot of challenges lie ahead in attempting to improve United’s fortunes

‘We are committed to working with everyone at the Club – the Board, staff, players and fans – to help drive the club forward.

‘Our shared ambition is clear: we all want to see Manchester United back where we belong, at the very top of English, European and world football.’

The announcement regarding Ratcliffe was seen as hugely positive by many United fans, many of whom are hugely frustrated with the Glazer ownership of the club.

United, who haven’t won the Premier League title since 2013, have again lacked consistency this season and finished bottom of their Champions League group.