Sir Jim Ratcliffe is still awaiting final confirmation for his 25 percent purchase of Manchester United, but he's already got a lot of work to do ahead of him, one former player said.
Ratcliffe sat beside Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford on Sunday and watched on as the Red Devils drew Tottenham, 2-2. It was a symbolic first appearance for Ratcliffe as club owner since he will also be assuming control over football operations from majority owners, the Glazer family.
With United once again struggling in the standings — something that has become common since Ferguson retired in 2013 — Ratcliffe will be under near-immediate scrutiny as he and his staff attempt to restore the Red Devils to their former glory.
One player who is familiar with United's glory days under Ferguson is Gary Neville, who won two Champions League titles and more than a dozen major domestic honours with the club during his near-two decade long career.
Neville was blunt in his assessment of what Ratcliffe will need to do to improve the results and culture at Old Trafford, boiling it down to ownership being much more involved than what he perceives it has been over the past decade.
"There is a lot to do, the club needs a shock and then it stands a chance with this disruption in the board room," Neville told Sky Sports.
"He isn't just going to idly watch what is happening, having spent so much money on the club and a lot of people at the club will find it quite difficult.
"The club has become a graveyard for a lot of players. I have spoken to players before and told them 'move to Man Utd, you won't regret it, it is a magic club'. Looking back, that looks like bad advice.
"Harry Maguire was wanted by Man City and he would have been a success there.
"The owners have not been present for the last 10 years, and haven't had the right people in the right positions. It is unbelievable."