Man Utd director of football candidates revealed as search nears conclusion
- Man Utd looking to appoint new director of football
- Club said to have narrowed shortlist to two candidates
- SIr Jim Ratcliffe to purchase 25% stake after ratification from Premier League
By Sean Walsh
Manchester United's search for a new director of football is nearing a conclusion, according to a report.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS company have agreed to purchase a 25% stake in the club, and though this is still to be ratified by the Premier League, United are beginning to make move forward with plans for his official onboarding.
United announced the appointment of Manchester City's COO Omar Barreda as the club's new CEO last week in the first sign of change under Ratcliffe. He will officially begin work this summer.
The Daily Telegraph report that following news of Barreda's arrival, United are closing in on a new director of football after narrowing down their shortlist to a couple of targets.
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Among those believed to have recently been under consideration recently are Newcastle's Dan Ashworth and Crystal Palace's Dougie Freedman, with ex-Liverpool director Julian Ward and former Monaco chief Paul Mitchell also of interest.
United are also looking at a number of options from across Europe, with Atletico Madrid's Andrea Berta, Juventus' Cristiano Giuntoli, Atalanta's Lee Congerton at Atalanta and former Milan duo Paolo Maldini and Frederic Massara linked to the role.
Current football director John Murtough will have his roles reduce or even leave the club as part of INEOS' backroom shakeup.
The plan is for Barreda and the new director of football to work closely and see eye-to-eye on various issues, while the two will be the ones to decide whether manager Erik ten Hag will stay at the club.
The Red Devils have underperformed in Ten Hag's second season in charge and could end the week sitting in the bottom half of the Premier League table. They have also been eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage and failed to retain the Carabao Cup, but have at least progressed to round five of the FA Cup.
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