Former French centre-back Raphael Varane has exposed the differences between how Manchester United and Real Madrid are being run.
United and Madrid are two of the biggest clubs in European football, but they are currently enjoying contrasting fortunes.
Madrid have won two of the last three La Liga and Champions League titles. By contrast, United have not won the league and Champions League in more than a decade.
INEOS’ arrival has not changed the situation at United, most notably on the pitch. They are on the verge of having their worst-ever season in Premier League history.
Having played for Madrid and United before calling it quits on his career last year, Varane has revealed the discrepancy between how both clubs are run.
He told The Athletic: “Even from the inside as a player, there wasn’t a clear structure on how things would work. There hasn’t been a fixed methodology for years.
“At Madrid, they have a defined way of doing things at every club level. At Manchester (United), it was not clear or defined enough to know how to recruit, play and communicate.
“There weren’t the same procedures, processes, structure.
“It’s not one person’s responsibility. That’s the problem – we don’t know whose fault it is. It has to be in the overall structure of the organisation.
“Too many people were involved in the decision-making process, so we didn’t know who was making the decisions. I can’t say who was responsible – I don’t know. It was a bit of everyone and a bit of no one.”
INEOS must prevent further damage at Man United
INEOS must find a way to prevent further damage at United, both on and off the pitch, to turn the tide around.
They must support manager Ruben Amorim next summer by signing players who are suited to his playing style.
They must get rid of some of the club’s highest earners to prevent a breach of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
There is also an urgent need to refurbish Old Trafford and ensure that other facilities are in a befitting condition to align with the club’s status.
If INEOS deliver those elements, the fans would be more likely to view them in a favourable light.
