INEOS keen for Man Utd to leave Carrington training ground - report
- INEOS controlling football operations at Man Utd after Sir Jim Ratcliffe's takeover
- Sir Dave Brailsford conducting full evaluation of club infrastructure after being added to board
- Carrington training ground home to women's team & academy sides as well
By Tom Gott
INEOS sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford is reported to believe that Manchester United need to leave their current Carrington training ground in favour of finding a new "elite" home.
United moved to the Trafford Training Centre in 2000 and were soon followed by the academy sides, before a major expansion of the facilities available to the women's team was completed in the summer of 2023.
According to the Manchester Evening News, many inside the club fear Carrington is too crowded now and Brailsford is even said to have concluded that the training complex is "not fit for purpose" for a team of such a high standing.
Brailsford has been conducting a huge evaluation of the behind-the-scenes operations at United and is understood to have won over many at the club with his attention to detail.
After numerous visits to Carrington, Brailsford has decided a move away would be best for the club, who have been exploring their options for the vast majority of 2024.
Club officials have looked into further expanding Carrington to reduce the concerns of overcrowding, but a number of issues have left them fearing a move away may be the only feasible option.
Mags Mernagh, the director of infrastructure at United, previously impressed United chiefs with his work on Leicester City's training complex and is overseeing the plans for Carrington.
Cristiano Ronaldo famously took aim at United's behind-the-scenes operations in his interview with Piers Morgan, in which he admitted he was shocked to see very little had changed between his departure in 2009 and his return in 2021.
"Nothing changes," Ronaldo claimed. "Not only the jacuzzi, the pool, even the gym. Even some points of technology, the kitchen, the chefs - who I appreciate, lovely people! - they stop in time, which surprised me a lot.
"I thought I would see different things: technology, infrastructure. Unfortunately, we see many things I’m used to seeing when I’m 21, 22, 23. It surprised me a lot."
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