Gary Neville identifies Sir Jim Ratcliffe's first three priorities at Manchester United

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville believes putting building blocks in place off the pitch should initially take priority over strengthening the squad for new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Ratcliffe, who is chairman of the INEOS group, sealed a 25 per cent stake in United on Christmas Eve, ending a saga that had gone on for more than 12 months. As part of the deal INEOS will gain control of the club's football operations for the men's and women's teams plus the academies.

Following Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest, which was attended by INEOS member Sir David Brailsford, who will become a director of the club, it is clear that major changes need to be made at Old Trafford. United have lost 14 games already this season, including nine of their opening 20 in the Premier League.

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Though the performance at the City Ground highlighted United's need to add fresh blood to the squad, Neville insists Ratcliffe's main aim should be to correct the club's off-field problems first such as appointing a new chief executive, sporting director and head of recruitment.

"I honestly think that there are a lot of things they will look at before the squad," Neville said, speaking on his Sky Sports podcast. "They have to try and correct the playing side of things as quickly as possible, but there are some gaping holes in the club.

"There isn't a CEO. There isn't a sporting director. There isn't a capable head of recruitment. They are the top three jobs in a football club, outside of a manager. They are the top three jobs in a football club and then