Manchester United have launched ‘Mission 21’ – their plan to capture a 21st Premier League title within the next three years via the best young talent on the planet.

Sir Dave Brailsford has unveiled details of the drive to staff, which will see an emphasis placed on developing emerging prospects rather than paying top money for older, more established players.

The former British Cycling supremo, brought in by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos following their investment in the club last year, is heavily involved in United’s strategy as they seek a first top flight title since 2013.

Brailsford’s blueprint, developed in conjunction with James Morton, a head of nutrition and performance he worked with at Team Sky, shifts the club away from the previous, scattergun policy of throwing money at problems in the hope of immediate solutions.

Instead, focus is now on buying youngsters with potential, and moulding them into a formidable force as United seek to end a barren run that stretches beyond a decade.

Brailsford is working closely with technical director Jason Wilcox following Dan Ashworth’s short-lived stint as sporting director, which came to an end after just five months.

The 60-year-old is Ineos’s director of sport and has overseen Ratcliffe’s sporting portfolio since they took over the all-conquering Team Sky in 2019.

Belfast-born Morton, formerly a Liverpool employee, is a professor of exercise metabolism at Liverpool John Moores University and worked at Anfield from 2010 to 2015.

He was a key figure in Tour victories for riders in a glittering four year period from 2015 to 2018.

Manager Ruben Amorim is onboard with the plan and is firmly in charge of the football operation while Brailsford is overseeing the environment at the club as they seek to rebuild, and is close to Ratcliffe.

Mission 21 was presented to senior staff at Carrington late last year, along with Mission 1 – the plan for the club’s women’s team to land it’s first Women’s Super League title.

Both Missions sit under a broader ‘Project 150’ initiative, which chief executive Omar Berrada, another Ineos hire, presented to staff last autumn. The year 2028 is significant as it marks United’s 150th anniversary.

The winter transfer window, which closed earlier this week, was indicative of United’s approach.

Despite poor performance on the field, which sees them in 13th place in the Premier League, the emphasis was on youth rather than panic buying, with £25.1m Patrick Dorgu, 21, and £1.5m Ayden Heaven, 18, the only arrivals, while Marcus Rashford and Antony departed on loan.

Profit and sustainability rules are currently impacting, but the hope is that cost-cutting measures and the gradual phasing out of higher earners deemed surplus to requirements will allow United to spend on areas of need in windows to come.