Man United are also taking Dan Ashworth’s possible replacement from Newcastle United | OneFootball

Manchester United fans are beginning to enjoy the way Ineos works.

The petrochemical giant, owned by billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, acquired a 27% stake in the club in February and more importantly for fans, took complete control of footballing operations.

This sparked a huge wave of optimism from the Old Trafford faithful, who could finally envisage football men running their club for the first time since the Glazer family’s hostile take over in 2005.

One of Ineos’ first key moves was to poach Newcastle United’s sporting director, Dan Ashworth, a top name in his field.

However, a stalemate then ensued over compensation for his release from St James’ Park, for which the Magpies were demanding £20 million.

This dragged on beyond the start of the summer transfer window, and that plus the lack of any incoming or outgoing transfers started to turn fans’ hopefulness into frustration and mistrust of the new regime.

Finally, though, the breakthrough came and United got their man for considerably less than £10 million on the final day of a financial year in which Newcastle desperately needed the money.

What seemed like frustrating inaction now seems like a masterstroke from Ineos, but news has emerged today that suggests they have turned the screw even further and pulled another one over on the hapless Newcastle owners.

Yesterday it was revealed that United are in the process of recruiting former Chelsea technical director, Christopher Vivell on a short term contract to span the next two transfer windows. His role will be to help with transfer dealings.

And, according to HITC, “Newcastle were one of the sides to have expressed an interest in Vivell as a replacement for Ashworth.

“It is also our understanding that Vivell had strong interest from elsewhere with clubs in Italy, Spain, Germany and the Saudi Pro League all keen.”

It therefore seems that Ineos are adding insult to injury by recruiting the man Newcastle had potentially lined up to replace Ashworth.

Furthermore, the outlet notes that the “short-term appointment of Vivell was the first major decision sanctioned by Ashworth,” which does suggest that it could have been a deliberate coup – or even act of sabotage – on United’s part.

Under Glazer ownership, United have for so long been the laughing stock of the Premier League when it comes to negotiations of any sort and the football hierarchy in general. If these manoeuvres, and the capture of CEO Omar Berrada from Manchester City, are anything to go by, Ineos are going to be the new bully boys of the Premier League in no time at all.

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