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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Brailsford told Man Utd they needed to improve</li><li>Cycling guru believes United must become 'world-class'</li><li>INEOS' 25% stake to be ratified within six weeks</li></ul>

'Step up' - Sir Dave Brailsford fires warning to underperforming Man Utd stars as INEOS await green light for Sir Jim Ratcliffe minority takeover

Club Friendlies

Manchester United

Bournemouth

<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/sir-dave-brailsford-marginal-gains-save-man-utd/blt23f27ada134c16c0" target="_blank">Brailsford, INEOS' director of sport</a> who transformed British cycling, visited United's training ground last week with Sir Jim Ratcliffe for the first time since the firm agreed to buy a stake in the club. He has been conducting an internal review on behalf of Ratcliffe. According to <a href="https://theathletic.com/5183464/2024/01/08/sir-dave-brailsfords-football-tales-and-what-he-will-bring-to-manchester-united/" target="_blank">The Athletic</a>, he told the club's football staff that they needed to raise their game and that the new sporting regime would not accept anything below 'world-class' standards.

WHAT HAPPENED?

INEOS agreed to take charge of United's sporting operation in exchange for <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/man-utd-confirm-sir-jim-ratcliffe-partial-man-utd-takeover-christmas-eve/bltf115e1c0a3e3d3b7" target="_blank">purchasing a 25 percent stake in the club </a>for £1.25 billion ($1.58bn). The deal still needs regulatory approval from the Premier League and Brailsford, Ratcliffe and co are not expected to take charge until late February. Their arrival comes amid the club's worst start to a season in the Premier League era, with United also <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/not-good-enough-for-europa-league-man-utd-champions-league-bottom/blt6145f25312ccb051" target="_blank">suffering a humiliating exit from the Champions League.</a> The tone of Brailsford's words to staff was described as 'collegiate', but he reportedly made it clear that change was in the air and there would be more pressure to perform.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

United have already lost nine times after 20 Premier League matches, as many defeats as they suffered in the entirety of the 2022-23 season.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Red Devils will hope to lift the mood when they visit League One strugglers Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup on Monday. They then face a hugely testing Premier League game against Tottenham on Sunday. They will hope the ratification of Ratcliffe's takeover is completed within the expected timeframe.

WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

'Step up' - Sir Dave Brailsford fires warning to underperforming Man Utd stars as INEOS await green light for Sir Jim Ratcliffe minority takeover | Goal.com

Sir Dave Brailsford has warned Manchester United&apos;s playing staff of the need to &apos;step up&apos; in order to become a world-class institution once again.

&apos;Step up&apos; - Sir Dave Brailsford fires warning to underperforming Man Utd stars as INEOS await green light for Sir Jim Ratcliffe minority takeover

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