Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos find themselves in the position Erik ten Hag was in at Manchester United

Ineos was once the biggest company you've never heard of and Sir Jim Ratcliffe was billed as a reclusive billionaire in the guise of Howard Hughes. He cannot go into hiding now.

Ratcliffe has reverted to reticence but has questions to answer. His body language at Wembley continues to be scrutinised. One newspaper website has contrasted Ratcliffe embracing Pep Guardiola in the Wembley royal box with the handshake and pat on the back he afforded Erik ten Hag.

Behind Ratcliffe was the former Manchester United director of communications, Paddy Harverson, whose Milltown Partners firm assisted Ineos during their bidding process to secure a minority stake in United. Sir Dave Brailsford flanked Ratcliffe and so did the Ineos co-founder and United board member John Reece.

Eagle-eyed United followers could be forgiven for wondering if Ineos are feeling the heat. Their X (formerly Twitter) account has been removed, though not by Ineos. X found it to be an "underage" account and Ineos are working with the site to restore it.

READ MORE: United not expecting an imminent decision on Ten Hag's future

READ MORE: Garnacho and Mainoo great - United player ratings of the season

Ten Hag was not mentioned by name or title in Ratcliffe's PR-massaged statement. "As if he's actually said that," a colleague stood with me in the mixed zone scoffed after he read the 57 words.

Ratcliffe has talked a good game about the "run down" Old Trafford, its "crap" museum, the "small" Megastore and his grand vision for a new-build stadium on the same site. He has spoken thoughtfully about United's structure, the playing style, knocking City and Liverpool off their perch and the Mason Greenwood situation.

Yet he remains mum on the manager. When a