Extrapolation Sport

Manchester United will conclude the 2025/26 season playing just 40 games, the first time this has happened to the club since 1915. That was due to a World War. 111 years of history, culture and success and the shell of Manchester United falls even further behind their competitors.

In such a short period of time, INEOS have turned their footballing acquisition from a below standard but competitive outfit, into a steaming pile of failure. Having already messed up their approach at Nice FC, the French side that are also under INEOS’ steely paws, they decided to continue their venture in Football. In this period they have made several huge decisions, getting each one painfully wrong in the process.

Their idea of ‘data analysis’ being the core behind recruitment has resulted in Manuel Ugarte being the clubs holding midfielder, funding PSG’s move of United’s target, Champions League winner Joao Neves.

Taking hold of the reigns in February 2024, INEOS’ first resolve was oversee the future of then head coach, Erik Ten Hag, following a turbulent season. Opting to offer him a new contract after beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final. A result that was later accredited to tactical tweaks made by current interim Manager, Darren Fletcher. Fletcher altered the set-up from ‘tactical suicide’ to FA Cup champions, which rewarded the Dutch head coach with a bumper contract.

This obviously ended in tears, resulting in them sacking him early into the following season and replacing him with Ruben Amorim, who took hold of the club for the next 18 months.

INEOS have publicly claimed to hire the ‘best in class’, but based on their reactions to some of their recruitment, they are admitting their faults so far. Hiring Amorim was seen as a good choice at that time, but Dan Ashworth, costly new hire from Newcastle, was against the move. A decision that caused his falling out with Jim Ratcliffe and losing his position as director of Manchester United.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been on record going from labeling Ashworth as a “10/10 Football Director”. “one of the best around” and a “very capable person,” in February 2024.

Fast forward to December that year, saying, “I agree the Erik ten Tag and Dan Ashworth decisions were errors,”

“I think there were some mitigating circumstances, but ultimately they were errors. I accept that and I apologise for that.”

Sir Jim Ratcliffe then went on to blame his expelling of club staff down to recruitment of the previous directors.

‘Project 150’ is the internal name for Omar Berrada’s club goal of winning the Premier League by 2028, on the clubs 150th anniversary. They are currently well off the mark and falling every further from their rivals.

Their most recent slip-up has come from their choice of interim manager, favouring Michael Carrick over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. While both managers are equally qualified for the role, INEOS opted to go for the former midfielder, on the basis that he would work with current background staff. Ole is said to have requested to bring his own staff with him for the interim role. Another cost-cutting measure for Britain’s Richest Man.

INEOS have constantly shown that they do not understand the core values of their Footballing asset, prioritising money over their supposed footballing strategy. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, former Chelsea FC season ticket holder, had been on record saying the academy had, “really slipped”. Backing up his claim by sanctioning the transfers of several established academy stars, using ‘PSR’ as their Kevlar.

‘Youth, Courage and Success’ has become a figment of the past, and the downtrend a once great club is continuing to spiral down, is looking ever so bleak.