Sir Dave Brailsford is to reduce his role at Manchester United as part of a major reshuffle by Sir Jim Ratcliffe following an underwhelming season at Old Trafford.
The marginal gains guru left his position at Ratcliffe’s cycling outfit Ineos Grenadiers for United after the group took control of football operations at the club more than a year ago thanks to their £1.25bn investment.
With an office at the club’s Carrington training ground Brailsford, 61, has overseen substantial off-field change at United and sources have disclosed that he will still be involved in the running of the club.
However, he will now return to a previous role as director of sport for Ineos and his focus will be across their stable of outfits, with his expertise spread across a wider area.
The move comes after a deeply disappointing campaign for the Premier League giants, who finished in 15th place – their worst position since the competition was born in 1992 – and lost in the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.
Brailsford has reshaped the performance operation at United and has been heavily involved with the ongoing £50m redevelopment of Carrington.
Sir Dave Brailsford, right, will step back from his Man United role as part of a reshuffle by Sir Jim Ractliffe
Ineos have cut their sporting portfolio following their arrival at United, with sponsorship deals with the All Blacks and Spurs terminated.
In April, Ratcliffe’s Ineos Britannia sailing team abandoned its challenge for the next America’s Cup.
However, there remains a strong commitment to cycling, the sport in which Brailsford made his name as boss at both British Cycling and Team Sky.
The Ineos group will again take control of French side Nice, after its failure to qualify for Europe means it comes out of the blind trust into which it was placed to comply with UEFA rules on multi-club ownership – which permitted both themselves and United to compete this season.
