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Man Utd set new targets likened to NASA putting man on the moon as Sir Dave Brailsford slams 'acceptance of mediocrity' culture

Premier League

Manchester United

Ipswich

<p>The Red Devils have stagnated since seeing legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson head into retirement back in 2013. He walked away off the back of a 13th Premier League title triumph, which took the club to 20 top-flight crowns in total.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>They have not come particularly close to landing another since then, but the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS co-ownership group in February 2024 was supposed to help United get back on track. They have remained stuck in reverse for the most part, while <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/paul-scholes-tears-into-sir-jim-ratcliffe-ineos-ridiculous-man-utd-ticket-price-hike-claims-part-owners-done-nothing-positive-since-minority-takeover/blt115d3293cb969fde" target="_blank">generating unwelcome headlines with a series of controversial cost-cutting measures</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Despite positivity at Old Trafford being in short supply, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6149776/2025/02/21/dave-brailsford-manchester-united-mission-21/ " target="_blank"><em>The Athletic</em></a> reports on how Ratcliffe's close ally Sir Dave Brailsford – the former head of British cycling that helped to deliver Olympic gold medals and historic Tour de France triumphs when filling previous roles – laid out ambitious plans for the future during one all-staff address.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>He is said to have <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/man-utd-mission-21-plan-win-premier-league-title-sir-dave-brailsford-behind-scenes-old-trafford-dan-ashworth-exit/blt341f2fbe44bfc33c" target="_blank">drawn up visions for ‘Mission 21’</a> – which relates to the men’s team winning another league title – and ‘Mission 1’ – which will see the women’s side claim a first WSL crown. Club staff have compared Brailsford's goals to NASA’s Apollo mission aimed at putting a man on the moon by the time the 1960s ended.</p>

WHAT SIR DAVE BRAILSFORD SAID

<p>Brailsford is, however, said to be <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/sir-dave-brailsford-impact-man-utd-ineos-sporting-director-marginal-gains-methods-pre-season-tour/bltcdd20078bb1fdef8" target="_blank">concerned that the project he now forms part of alongside Ratcliffe</a> has "no overarching vision or strategy, no clear structure and no established processes to put plans in place". It is claimed that he believes there is a "staleness about United, an acceptance of mediocrity".</p>

TELL ME MORE

<p>Changing that is proving difficult, with United a long way from reaching for the stars at present. Portuguese coach <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/mad-ruben-amorim-sensationally-accused-trying-get-sack-man-utd-richard-keys/bltca108e3cbc06af9a" target="_blank">Ruben Amorim has endured a baptism of fire since inheriting managerial reins</a>, with his side sat 15th in the Premier League table – just three places above the relegation zone with 13 games left to take in this season.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

Man Utd set new targets likened to NASA putting man on the moon as Sir Dave Brailsford slams 'acceptance of mediocrity' culture | Goal.com

Out-of-sorts Manchester United have been set ambitious targets that are being likened to NASA putting a man on the moon.

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