Bryan Mbeumo's goal at Old Trafford proves his Manchester United role is obvious

"I've known Dave now for quite a few years and it's for good reasons," Sir Jim Ratcliffe assured us. "He is obsessive about performance in elite sports, and he is going to be very successful at Manchester United."

No, he isn't. Had Brailsford not stepped back from his prominent position at United and the team become a success, none of it would have been down to him.

Brailsford, as he admitted to Nasser Hussain in November 2023, is "no football expert". Ratcliffe complained about the "rugby man" Richard Arnold. Brailsford is a cycling guy. Arnold was more of a success during a fraught two years as chief executive.

The chances are the majority reading this are more qualified than Brailsford to be on the United football board. Our football knowledge outweighs Brailsford's and that buzzphrase, 'high performance', is as meaningless as Brailsford's presence at United. He was not worthy of the Paul Smith-tailored club suit.

United used sleep and meal windows, individually-tailored compression garments to increase blood circulation and a hydration plan in pre-season. That had Brailsford's fingerprints all over it. The finger of blame cannot be pointed solely at him for United then suffering their worst season in 51 years.

Brailsford did not endear himself, either. His aloofness was so striking and not in keeping with other Ineos appointments. Dan Ashworth was personable during our sole sit-down with him, Omar Berrada is an engaging talker, Jason Wilcox has offered the odd "hello" and Toby Craig, the director of communications, can be loquacious in an appropriate setting.

At Carrington once, Brailsford literally walked the other way when journalists approached him. When he used the wrong door to enter United's Beverly Hills hotel