Sir Jim Ratcliffe is due to hold his first face-to-face meeting with Manchester United co-owners Joel and Avram Glazer since the sacking of Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford.
Amorim was axed by the Premier League club on January 5 after he explosively criticised the board following United’s 2-2 draw with Leeds and has now been replaced by interim manager Michael Carrick until the end of the season.
United’s co-owners have flown to Manchester for the club’s latest executive committee meeting to discuss the latest developments following Amorim’s dismissal.
The visit will also give Ratcliffe and the Glazer family the opportunity to speak with Carrick and his staff at Carrington.
Normally held in Monaco, the committee meeting was relocated to Manchester after what has proved a stormy start to the year.
These talks typically take place every month and feature members of the club’s hierarchy including chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe (left with Omar Berrada, centre, and Jason Wilcox, right) is due in Manchester for an executive meeting to discuss the latest developments since Ruben Amorim’s sacking
The club has been plunged into chaos since the sudden dismissal of Amorim on January 4
The visit to Manchester will also give Ratcliffe and the Glazer family (above – Joel, right, and Avram, left) the opportunity to speak with new interim boss Michael Carrick and his staff
The January meeting carries added significance for Ratcliffe and Co amid the chaos that has followed Amorim’s sudden exit, with United drawing 1-1 against relegation candidates Burnley and crashing out of the FA Cup to Brighton.
The turbulent spell has led to widespread concern among Manchester United supporters, with fan group The 1958 announcing they are planning a protest march at Old Trafford ahead of the club’s Premier League clash with Fulham on February 1.
There are also concerns over whether United can feasibly qualify for the Champions League after opting for an interim manager rather than permanent appointment, with the Red Devils having already slipped to seventh in the table.
The club’s commercial position is also expected to be discussed at the executive meeting, as United remain without a training-ground kit partner or a replacement shirt-sleeve sponsor for when the DXC deal ends in the summer.
Carrick, who was chosen ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to be United’s head coach until the end of the season, will be assisted by former England No 2 Steve Holland and his old Middlesbrough first-team coach Jonathan Woodgate.
He is also joined by fellow Man United team-mate Jonny Evans and U21s coach Travis Binnion.
Meanwhile, Darren Fletcher, who stood in as caretaker manager prior to Carrick’s arrival, has now returned to coach United’s U18s.
