Kenyan marathon runners and All Blacks rugby stars may be drafted in to speak to Manchester United’s players as Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS seek to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford.
In a wide-ranging special report ahead of next week’s expected confirmation of the petrochemical billionaire’s 25 per cent stake in his boyhood club, Mail Sport can also reveal:
- An option to move away from Old Trafford has already been ditched
- The group plans to speak to the FA with a view to hosting England matches at a new ‘Wembley of the North’
- A 5* hotel along with United-themed attraction are being considered as part of a huge redevelopment
- The process of approaching investment partners at home and overseas is already underway
- INEOS already have ‘the keys’ to the club
- A huge summer spending spree is not on the cards, although the aim is to strengthen in key areas
Insiders say INEOS are keen to use expertise from their stable of interests in other sports, including running, rugby and Formula One.
Manchester United players could be visited by elite professionals from the All Blacks and Kenya’s running teams
All Blacks rugby stars may be drafted in to speak to Manchester United’s players in the future
Kenyan long-distance runners such as Eliud Kipchoge could also visit Carrington to work with United’s players
In recent times marathon runners from the INOES-backed NN group have also given talks to All Blacks players on mentality and endurance. The prospect of both heading to the club’s Carrington base at some point is thought to be likely.
Meanwhile, with a move for Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth to become sporting director expected over the coming days, United are also considering an approach for Southampton director of football Jason Wilcox.
Under the guidance of Ratcliffe’s right-hand-man Sir Dave Brailsford, a visit from the All Blacks and Kenya’s best long-distance runners at United’s Carrington training complex is a realistic possibility.
Brailsford has harnessed his ‘marginal gains’ philosophy in other sporting ventures and when Eliud Kipchoge, from the INEOS-backed NN professional running group, broke the marathon world record and went sub two hours in 2019 he did so on the back of aerodynamic advice from those within INEOS’S sailing (INEOS Britannia) and motor racing (Mercedes-AMG F1) ventures.
At INEOS-owned Ligue 1 side, Nice, Kenyan running coaches have been introduced to give tips to players on pace explosions and being quicker off the mark.
Similarly, when wing-backs at the French club began to suffer from a muscle problem more common with the stop-start nature of rugby than football, medical experts from the All Blacks were brought in to assist in treatment and prevention.
Sir Dave Brailsford’s ‘marginal gains’ philosophy has previously seen INEOS’ other sporting ventures benefit from each others advice and guidance
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s firm are performance partners with the New Zealanders and medics from the All Blacks camp have already worked with Nice, the Ligue 1 club he owns in France
All Blacks medical teams have previously worked with footballers on recovering from injuries
Kenyan marathon runners have also given talks to the New Zealanders on mental endurance.
59-year-old Brailsford is at the heart of this after making a career on the back of his marginal gains philosophy, most notably at Team Sky and British Cycling.
Sir Alex Ferguson previously visited the Manchester Velodrome HQ, later dubbed ‘the gold medal factory’, and on a later trip discussed with Brailsford how to ensure all within a team were committed to the common goal.
Ferguson leant over and delivered a typically blunt line in his native Glaswegian tones. ‘Dave,’ he said. It’s simple – just get rid of the c****’.
