Three Clubs, One Owner: INEOS’s Difficult Start to the 2026/27 Season

With terrible start to all three co owned clubs of INEOS, Manchester United, OGC Nice and Lausanne Sport, questions are to be rightfully asked!

From a current 12th place for the Red Devils, a 14th place for OGC Nice and a rock bottom position for Lausanne Sport INEOS undoubtedly have had a horrible start to the season. With 30% of united owned and an almost full control of both the Swiss club and the French, INEOS are too blame. But what can we say exactly about this negative start to the 2026/27 season?

In 2024, INEOS came into command of Man United after already owning Lausanne Sport since 2017 and Nice since 2019, proving themselves slightly through promotion to top Swiss division as well as first European qualification in 15 years was achieved in 2025/26. For Nice no major trophies won either but was able to qualify for European competitions 4 times since the takeover. As well as other more positive achievements in other disciplines including Formula 1, cycling and sailing.

“Cap on Europe”

On the other hand Manchester United, bought by INEOS in 2024 have had a different story to tell. With more then $1.5 Billion invested into the English club, promising them glory, the Red Devils started off with one of there worst season finish at the time with an 8th place in the Premier League, saved by a dramatic 2-1 win over rivals to win the Fa Cup. In there second season under INEOS United beat there previous seasons record of worse season with a 15th place finish and a loss in the Europa League final against Tottenham, finishing the season without any silverware. In 2025/26, with the arrival of new coach Micheal Carrick, assuring them with a 3rd place finish, allowing them to come back to the European stage. But the fans feeling of finally being back did not last long with a horrible start to the 2026/27 season placing them in 12th place with 1 game won in 5 played.

INEOS chairman Jim Ratcliffe refused to comment when questioned on the season

“I’m certainly not going to talk about that.” – Jim Ratcliffe

In terms of transfers, the 3 clubs owned and co-owned by INEOS have had both positive and skeptical transfer choices with the departure of Andrea Onana and Anthony but the arrivals of Senne Lammens and Cunha for United. For Lausanne Sport, the departure of Alvyne Sanches, start boy of the Swiss club, hit hard as he left for close rivals Young Boys. With on top of that the departures of both midfielders Antoine Bernèbe and Jaimie Roche and star goalkeeper Karlo Letica with previously the departure of current National Team Player Zekir Amdouni, replaced by up and coming players like the goalkeeper Mastil as well as players like De La Fuente and Koindredi, Lausanne sport are hoping to see these choices in action in order to start winning games again. For OGC Nice, the departure of Kasper Scheichel, replaced by Bulka, and the departure of Kephran Thuram to Juventus.

Across all three clubs, INEOS has overseen important changes to their squads, with departures making room for new arrivals and younger talents. While some transfers appearing promising on paper, their true value will only become clear through their performances on the pitch. For Manchester United, the pressure remains on the club to compete at the highest level, while Lausanne-Sport will be hoping their new signings can help them return to winning ways. Meanwhile, OGC Nice will be looking to maintain their competitiveness in French football despite changes to their squad. Ultimately, the question remains whether INEOS’s transfer strategy can deliver consistent success across all three clubs, or whether some of these decisions will prove costly in the long run and or even already have.

In conclusion, since the arrival of INEOS in all three of these clubs, 2017 for Lausanne Sport, 2019 for OGC Nice and more recently 2024 for Manchester United, the news have mostly been bad with a couple higher peaks surrounded by lowering droughts. How long can this stand before something more radical is too happen? Will INEOS stay owner and co-owner of these clubs much longer? Only time will tell and these next few weeks, whether the clubs rise back or keep falling lower the results will be seen and will directly impact the future of this declining company.