MIKE KEEGAN on how Sir Jim Ratcliffe's 'complete overhaul' will look

For an indication of the scale of the task inherited by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS as they seek to restructure Manchester United’s football operation and return the club to the top, consider this.

The ultimate responsibility for ensuring that there are enough paperclips at Carrington, that the Under 12s have a minibus to take them to their next game and that hotels are arranged for an away match rests on the shoulders of John Murtough.

That is John Murtough who is also tasked with ensuring that United battle the likes of City, Liverpool and Arsenal for the planet’s top talent and arm Erik ten Hag with a squad fit to bring the Premier League title to Old Trafford.

For good measure Murtough, who joined the club from Everton at the request of David Moyes a decade ago, also has overall control of football operations, academy and United’s women’s side.

Unsurprisingly, it is a situation that has already been deemed unproductive and ineffective and will change. Other steps will follow, and follow quickly.

Insiders say that, while the INEOS’s deal for 25 per cent of the club will be officially signed off in the near future, it is safe to say we can expect a complete overhaul. The implementation of a wide-ranging new structure.

Indeed, Mail Sport understands that a series of key decisions have already been made. INEOS are on the clock - and have been since they struck a deal for a quarter share of the fallen giants in December.

Following less than two months of close observation, conclusions have been reached. Already, the incomers have identified recruitment as the major area in which immediate improvement is needed. Most United fans could have told them that, but aside from the obvious, a major shake-up will take place across all