KNIGHT OF THE LONG KNIVES

Since Sir Jim rode into Old Trafford there have been lots of sackings...first the staff, then Fergie and now Ten Hag. But will he allow Amorim to be his own man?

- ANDY DUNN

WHEN Sir Jim Ratcliffe rode into Old Trafford from Monte Carlo well, when he gave his first media briefing from his Knightsbridge office, to be precise - he was seen by some fans as some sort of knight in shining armour.

So far, he has been more horseman of the apocalypse.

Office staff were doomed, free tickets were doomed, discount lunches were doomed, women's changing rooms were doomed, Sir Alex Ferguson's ambassadorial gig was doomed and, it turns out, Erik ten Hag was doomed.

Oh, and up to this point, any hopes of United re-establishing themselves as a Premier League force have been doomed.

Not that followers of Monaco Jim's forays into elite sport would have been surprised by this. Since Ratcliffe and INEOS bought all-conquering Team Sky, the British cycling team has freewheeled off a cliff.

Since his major investment in the Mercedes Formula One team, the Silver Arrows have struggled to hit the podium.