Man Utd takeover: Sir Dave Brailsford tipped for 'key role' under Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Sir Dave Brailsford could have a 'key role' to play at Manchester United if Sir Jim Ratcliffe's move for a 25% stake is approved.

Manchester United's takeover took a fresh twist at the weekend when it was announced Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani would be pulling out. That has cleared the way for Sir Jim Ratcliffe to take a 25% stake.

According to reports, the Nice owner’s plan would be to complete a full takeover in time - this being seen as the first step. That is what many United fans will be clinging on to. As a condition of his offer he has also indicated he wants ‘sporting control’ from the off, meaning he would get his hands on football operations. The bid is believed to be worth around £1.3bn and there is no word yet on whether the Glazers will accept it. 

Now Sky Sports claim Sir Dave Brailsford - former performance director at British Cycling - could have a key role.

In a Q&A on the Sky Sports website, Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol said: "Ratcliffe will want to bring his own people in and it's almost certain that Sir Dave Brailsford will play a key role at United going forward.

"Brailsford is director of sport at INEOS and there could be a key role as well for Jean-Claude Blanc, who is the chief executive of the sports division at INEOS. Before that, he was director general of PSG, and chairman and CEO at Juventus.

"Both Blanc and Brailsford were with Ratcliffe when he visited Old Trafford and Carrington in March."