“I won’t collaborate with them. They are responsible for the dismissal of my close friend who coached at Manchester United. Indeed, he shared with me the names of the players that led to his departure. Sir Dave Brailsford intends to adopt a completely different approach with the Manchester United players as he aims to rid the club of those causing harm.”

Sir Dave Brailsford has outlined his approach to collaborating with skilled athletes, and it brings a refreshing perspective for Manchester United enthusiasts. Joining Old Trafford as Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s right-hand man on the United board, the 61-year-old is poised to play a pivotal role in the Ineos turnaround alongside Jean Claude Blanc. With a significant role in British Cycling’s most triumphant Olympic period, Brailsford is deeply focused on achieving marginal gains at the highest echelons of sports.

Contrary to Manchester United’s historical trend of pursuing top-tier players without considering their mentality and commitment to the project, Brailsford emphasizes the need for a strong mentality and work ethic to attain the discretionary levels of performance he seeks. Addressing how he handles exceptionally talented athletes lacking the required drive, Brailsford stated, “In our domain, you wouldn’t collaborate with them. Personally, I wouldn’t engage with them. I’d offer support without being unpleasant or unkind, but the partnership wouldn’t be effective. Dedication and determination are essential, and without them, progress beyond the initial stages is unlikely.”

“When you’re young, your talent can propel you to a high standard of performance. However, at the pinnacle of your field, where there are perhaps five or six individuals with a similar level of talent, some can consistently bring out their best. You can achieve a standard high-level performance regularly, and occasionally, you reach that discretionary level of performance – that extra bit on top that feels like the epitome of your capabilities.

Our goal isn’t just to attain a high level of performance; it’s about striving to achieve that discretionary performance as frequently as possible, especially when it truly matters. Achieving this is unlikely through talent alone. Even the most extraordinary talents, those who are flamboyant or unpredictable, are almost always deeply committed, fully invested, and driven by their pursuits.

While many United fans may prefer tangible actions over words, given their past experiences with Ralf Rangnick, Brailsford will wield significant influence. His relentless pursuit of marginal gains in every aspect is expected to guide United in not retaining or acquiring players who lack the necessary commitment for the task at hand.”