SIR DAVE BRAILSFORD has revealed a new plan to Manchester United staff aimed at delivering a 21st English league title.
The Ineos director of sport is taking a more keen role in operations at Old Trafford alongside technical director Jason Wilcox following the departure of Dan Ashworth five months into the job.
And Brailsford, one of Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s key lieutenants across a successful sporting empire, has now drafted plans to ambitiously win Man Utd the league, according to The Times.
The “Mission 21” plans were laid out late last year at the club’s Carrington training centre, with the assistance of ex-Liverpool performance nutritionist James Morton, before Ashworth’s departure.
A separate plan, labelled “Mission 1”, was also laid out to help the women’s team – seemingly an afterthought to club chiefs – to win the Women’s Super League for the first time.
Both missions come under the broader “Project 150”, which aims to get the club back to winning the Premier League by the club’s 150th anniversary in 2028.
“Project 150” was unveiled to staff last summer by CEO, Omar Berradam, while Wilcox, Brailsford and chief operating officer Collette Roche are the key figures behind the scheme.
Brailsford’s focus is on the performance of the club, with his “marginal gains” mantra being a central theme in the 60-year-old’s early work that brought success in cycling.
Meanwhile, Roche is overseeing the modernisation of the club’s training facilities and the Old Trafford redevelopment strategy.
External experts have also been parachuted in to offer their industry-leading insights.
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It was reported last week United had hired the expertise of legendary athletics coach, Harry Marra, who was named World Athletic’s Coach of the Year in 2016 after guiding Ashton Eaton to Olympic decathlon gold, which was a follow-up of a win in 2012.
Speaking on the hire, manager Ruben Amorim said: “It was not me; it was the club.
“We are always trying to bring experienced people to share the knowledge with the staff and to understand the body and how we can improve our players.
“It was not me. It’s not something new; he’s not there to coach the team; it’s more to coach the staff about the running, etcetera. It’s a simple thing we are used to doing to improve as a club.”
Amorim’s side continues to take one step forward and two steps back since his arrival and radical change of system to a 3-4-3 formation.
After winning three games on the bounce, United then fell to defeat against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Sunday.
This form has put them 13th in the table, as close to the relegation spots as to the top five.
Patrick Dorgu was added to the senior squad as a £25million purchase that should slot straight into the first team.
SunSport’s tactical guru Dean Scoggins explained how the 20-year-old is a “perfect” signing for Amorim’s Man Utd.
The Red Devils face Leicester in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday before visiting Tottenham in the Premier League the following weekend.
Man Utd player ratings vs Crystal Palace
MANCHESTER UNITED'S mini-revival under Ruben Amorim came to an abrupt end as Crystal Palace ran out 2-0 winners at Old Trafford.
Here’s how the Red Devils stars rated on a disappointing day.
Andre Onana – 5
Was left vulnerable by a shaky back-line and beaten by Lacroix’s looping header, which came off the crossbar into Mateta’s path.
But he couldn’t do much about the second goal.
Leny Yoro – 5
Came in for De Ligt, who was benched. Was inches away from scoring his first United goal early on.
Did well to block Mitchell after a Mazraoui error, but his positioning was a problem later in the game.
Harry Maguire – 3
Lost his battle with centre forward Mateta, who held the ball up well and got in behind every time, and was left stranded for the Frenchman’s first goal.
Hasn’t connected with Yoro. Palace, namely Sarr, opened them both up with ease and should’ve buried some chances through Mateta.
Lisandro Martinez – 6
Was stretchered off after jarring his knee in the 79th minute.
The Argentine has been scoring the goals recently, but blazed a centre-back’s shot over the bar on the brink of half-time.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5
He was okay in the right wing-back role again but it is obviously not his best position.
Struggled with the dual threat of Mitchell and Daichi Kamada down Palace’s left side.
Diogo Dalot – 4
Awful link-up play with a horrible blind pass inside the Palace box in a promising team position before the break.
He’s not a left winger and it’s clear why Patrick Dorgu has been signed.
Manuel Ugarte – 6
Missing in the middle when Mateta’s stunning 80-yard run. Missed half a chance in the second-half.
Bruno Fernandes – 5
Restricted. Couldn’t get forward much and was unlucky not to score from his usual 20-yard territory after being denied by Henderson.
Was one of three United players booked.
Amad Diallo – 6
Great individual runs, on and off the ball. Dropped to wing-back after Mainoo came off and was involved in anything good creatively.
Alejandro Garnacho – 5
Predictable build-up. But worked hard tracking back as one of the two 10s.
Was quieter in the second half and struggled to step up when the going got tough.
Kobbie Mainoo – 4
Huge experiment by Amorim to have Mainoo lead the line, albeit falsely. It didn’t pay off, but it wasn’t all his fault.
He didn’t get the service or have the hold up play required to be effective.
SUBS
Hojlund (’70 for Mainoo) – 5
Came on for the last 20 minutes and ran around a bit without doing much of note.
Zirkzee (’70 for Mazraoui) – 5
As above, not a great deal to write home about despite trying to make things happen.
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