When Dave Brailsford set about establishing Team Sky 15 years ago, he approached Sir Alex Ferguson for advice around constructing teams and, in particular, how the Manchester United manager was able to rebuild successful sides.
Brailsford, now one of the INEOS chiefs tasked with turning United back into contenders, has told the story a number of times in the intervening years but Ferguson’s response was straightforward if not a touch vulgar: “Just get rid of the c****.”
It is unclear whether Ferguson maintains that philosophy long into retirement or if Brailsford thinks it is applicable now. But United must get rid of several players, whether considered good characters or not, this summer to allow INEOS an opportunity to reshape their squad.
Several members of the squad involved in the season just passed have already confirmed their departures - Raphael Varane, Anthony Martial are all moving on and Sofyan Amrabat’s loan from Fiorentina will not be turned into a permanent deal.
But, as initially reported in April, all but three members of the squad would be available if the right offer comes in this summer. Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund are the only untouchables.
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That is partly down United's financial fair play concerns, a matter not helped by missing out on the Champions League’s riches next season. They earned more than £40m despite finishing bottom of their group in this campaign while Europa League winners Atalanta banked only half of that amount.
But there is also a belief from the new decision-makers that a part of their wider cultural reset must involve an overhaul of the first-team squad.
The issue is that to bring in their targets they must first raise some funds through sales because many of the recent signings have not lived up to expectations.
Erik ten Hag's future as Man Utd head coach remains unresolved a week on from the FA Cup win. (Getty Images)Erik ten Hag, whose future as head coach remains unresolved a week on from their FA Cup success, has tried to lay the blame for poor recruitment last year at departed executives Richard Arnold and John Murtough. Regardless of pointing fingers, United’s reality is clear: get rid or stay stuck in a rut.
Trevoh Chalobah, the Chelsea defender, has already been linked with a move and the West London club’s need to sell is even greater this summer considering their billion-pound-plus outlay over the past two years.
But United are not alone in being mindful of the rules entering a summer in which FFP concerns could define a quieter window than in recent years.
And while Ferguson continues to watch on intently from the posh seats at crumbling Old Trafford, Brailsford and company could do far worse than take on board the old sage’s previous words of wisdom.
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