Sir Dave Brailsford has seen his role at OGC Nice scaled back, instead focusing on the acquisition of Manchester United.
The former Team Sky chief has been working on behalf of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group and carried out an audit on the French club last year. However, Get Football News France report that his responsibilities in the Cote d'Azur have diminished in the expectation of an imminent Old Trafford takeover.
Ratcliffe has been jostling for control of the Red Devils for the best part of eight months, ever since current owners, the Glazers’ effectively put the Premier League giants up for sale. The INEOS chief executive has been one of the two leading parties to complete a majority takeover - along with Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani.
The pair have gone through a rigorous process which has seen multiple deadlines and several offers launched from both sides. The latest came from Qatar last week, with Sheikh Jassim attempting to secure a full 100 per cent stake of the club.
Ratcliffe meanwhile is hoping to purchase an initial majority stake of 60 per cent, as he'd allow brothers Joel and Avram Glazer to remain at Old Trafford until 2026 through minority shares totalling 20 per cent.
That could be more palatable for the two Glazer siblings, who are reluctant to relinquish total control in one fell swoop.
The Glazers - along with US merchant bank Raine - have been mulling over offers ahead of naming a preferred bidder. Reports from Qatar had suggested that status was to be handed to Jassim - although they have since been dismissed with the two parties still in a holding pattern.
United share prices rocketed at the start of the week, after Qatari media suggested a takeover was all-but completed. However, those claims have since been clarified by Al Watan editor Faham Al Emadi.
He posted on social media: "Contrary to certain media and social media reports overnight, Al Watan is not owned by Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, and Al Watan's media report yesterday speculating about possible movement in the Manchester United takeover process was based on international media reports, as stated in the article itself, and with such news widely circulating periodically in international media for many months."
Brailsford’s current working arrangement points to the fact that INEOS and Ratcliffe haven’t given up the chase, with his focus now predominantly on United. Whilst the 59-year-old doesn’t have a background specifically in football, his ‘marginal gains’ philosophy and his success with both Team Sky and British Cycling have made him a prominent figure in UK sport.
Regardless of who wins the race to acquire Manchester United, the current limbo is threatening to derail Erik ten Hag’s plan in the summer transfer window. After an encouraging first season in charge, the Dutchman is hoping to be active in the window - which is now open - but has admitted he is still in the dark over what he has to spend.
"I don't know," the Dutch boss admitted in early May. "The only thing I know is that Man United is one of the biggest clubs in the world. But you need funds to construct squads because the level from your players decides if you are successful or not.
“High-level players cost a lot of money. It's clear what I want, but it's not up to me. It's about others in this club. I’m focusing on improving the squad and the team development."
