Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly seeking assurances from Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim about his commitment to the club despite being ready to back him in the summer transfer market.
The United part-owner is concerned by Amorim's mixed messages which have sparked fears the Portuguese coach could decide the rebuilding job at Old Trafford is too much for him.
Ratcliffe sees similarities between himself and the former Sporting Lisbon boss, viewing Amorim as a "loose cannon" who shares characteristics with the billionaire who built Ineos into a global petrochemical giant.
However, the club's co-owner wants confirmation that Amorim will at least see out the remaining two years of his contract rather than leaving United in an even deeper predicament than they currently face, according to The Sun.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly seeking assurances from Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim about his commitment to the club despite being ready to back him in the summer transfer market
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Amorim last week revealed he may need to step aside, nearly seven months after replacing Erik ten Hag.
"It's a decisive moment in the history of the club. We need to be really strong in the summer and to be brave because we will not have a next season like this," he said.
The Portuguese manager added: "If we start like this, if the feeling is still here, we should give the space to different people."
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Ruben Amorim only replaced Erik ten Hag as Man United boss seven months ago
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Yet before Friday's 1-0 defeat against Chelsea, Amorim insisted he would not be quitting.
Ratcliffe remains concerned the manager may decide "enough is enough" after a chaotic campaign in which Amorim blamed himself for creating what he described as United's "worst team in history".
There are fears that even winning Wednesday's Europa League final against Tottenham might not prevent Amorim from walking away.
Amorim has already expressed doubts about his squad's ability to compete at the highest level, stating that playing among Europe's elite next season may be too much for a team he said "don't fear" losing anymore.
Since completing his £1.3billion investment for a 27.7 per cent stake 15 months ago, Ratcliffe has implemented brutal cost-cutting measures at the club.
Up to 450 jobs could be lost, with cuts so severe that Amorim is personally paying for 30 members of his backroom staff to attend the Bilbao final.
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Ratcliffe had previously warned that United's finances were in such a dire state that the club was in danger of going bust.
Despite these financial challenges, funds will be made available for summer reinforcements.
Money will be found to fund the proposed £60million signing of Wolves attacker Matheus Cunha, with Ipswich forward Liam Delap also being targeted in a potential £30m deal.
Ruben Amorim has struggled during his time as Man United manager
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The club is also looking to strengthen other areas of the squad, with a new goalkeeper and another defender on their wishlist.
To balance the books, United are considering selling homegrown stars like Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, which could raise around £100m.
Several other squad players are also set to be moved on to generate additional funds for the summer rebuild.
