Ineos edge closer to £76m windfall amid Man United and Erik ten Hag struggles

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's sailing team, Ineos Britannia, have put themselves on the verge of a spot in the America's Cup final after two race wins over Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli in the Louis Vuitton Cup.

The first-to-seven series between the two sailing powerhouses moved to Barcelona on Tuesday as Ineos battled it out to earn the right to face Emirates Team New Zealand in the prestigious America's Cup final. According to Nautica News, it is estimated that winning the competition would land Ineos approximately £76.2m ($100m) in prize money alone.

Both Ineos Britannia and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli were neck and neck on four race wins each heading into the racing in Catalonia on Tuesday. However, tight races that were won by the margins of 23 seconds and nine seconds, respectively, saw Ratcliffe's team take a 6-4 advantage into the next round of racing on Friday.

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Success on the water comes as an opportune distraction for Ratcliffe as the fortunes at his newest investment struggle. Manchester United have got off to a slow start in the Premier League and there are huge question marks over the future of manager Erik ten Hag.

MEN Sport understands that regardless of the result in the Europa League against Porto this evening, Ten Hag will be the manager going into the clash with Aston Villa at the weekend. Bookmakers have placed Ruud van Nistelrooy as the favourite to be the next boss at Old Trafford should the Dutchman depart.

Odds have also shortened on former Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri to join the club too after reports that Sir Alex Ferguson suggested he should be the next man in the