An email from Manchester United's owners to all staff members has been leaked after Sir Dave Brailsford attended the club's dramatic clash with Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
At around 10.30pm, just minutes after the final whistle had gone following United's 3-2 comeback win, Joel and Avram Glazer confirmed that a deal has been agreed for Sir Jim Ratcliffe to purchase a 25 per cent stake in the club. Negotiations have dragged on with the INEOS chief eventually settling for a compromised deal, more than a year after he entered the race to buy the club outright.
Referencing that notion, the email - that soon appeared on social media - read: "We understand this process has taken time and has inevitably created some uncertainty for colleagues. But it has been important to conduct the strategic review thoroughly and to find the right partner."
It had been widely reported that the 71-year-old British billionaire would assume the running of football operations, and the American pair also confirmed he would have "oversight and responsibility" in that department: "We know Manchester United has great strengths, not least its people," the letter added.
"This deal will help unlock more of the potential that you have helped build in this great club. As part of the partnership the board has asked INEOS, with their agreement, to have oversight and responsibility in the Club's football operations. This will include all aspects of the men's and women's football operation and their Academies, with the aim of delivering a world class, high-performance environment supporting success on the pitch."
But the letter also included a warning to the staff. Despite the public nature of the deal, they are seemingly forbidden from making any comments on the minority takeover on their own social media accounts.
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"Please note that there are certain legal rules that govern permissible communications during this process," it read. "Accordingly, please avoid commenting on this transaction on any social media channels."
The pair also outlined their aspirations to help the club return to the top of English, European, and world football. Despite the dramatic win over Villa, that ambition appears a considerable way off with United out of Europe all together this season and lying sixth in the Premier League.
Indeed, United's run without a top-flight title is now almost certain to be extended to 11 season. And their last Champions League crown came in 2008, with the club having just a solitary League Cup win to show for their efforts in the past six-and-a-half years.
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