Ratcliffe to poach Crystal Palace sporting director as Man Utd revolution begins

11 November 2023 , 21:51

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Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman has emerged as a surprise target for Manchester United (Image: PA)

Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman is reportedly being targeted for a major role in Sir Jim Ratcliffe's £1.3billion shake-up at Manchester United.

The former Nottingham Forest manager has been overseeing recruitment at Palace since 2017 and his fine work in the transfer market hasn't gone unnoticed by Ratcliffe and Sir David Brailsford, as per a new report from The Star.

Ratcliffe's proposal for a 25 percent stake in the club is expected to be ratified during the international break and the Ineos chief plans to put an end to the chaotic transfer policy which has seen United splurge over £1bn in the last three years with little improvement on the pitch.

The roles of John Murtough, the current technical director, and football director Darren Fletcher are believed to be at risk. And Ratcliffe already has a shortlist of potential replacements which includes Paul Mitchell, formerly of Southampton, Tottenham and Monaco and ex-Liverpool duo Michael Edwards and Julian Ward.

However, Brailsford's influence is significant, and he is a big fan of Freedman. The 49-year-old has seen his reputation skyrocket in recent years after overseeing several shrewd signings for the Selhurst Park outfit.

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Marc Guehi, Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise have all arrived in the capital for relatively small sums and gone on to play an integral role for the Eagles, who have established themselves as a Premier League club during Freedman's time at the helm.

Guehi, a Chelsea academy graduate, cost £18m two years ago but is now worth significantly more after winning full international honours over the past 12 months. Eze, snapped up from QPR for £17m, has enjoyed a similar trajectory and had attracted interest from United before signing a new long-term contract earlier this week.

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe's £1.3billion deal for a minority stake in Manchester United is expected to be confirmed imminently (PA)

French Under-21 international Olise was the subject of strong interest from Chelsea after Freedman plucked him from Reading for just £8.5m. He is being courted by a host of top European clubs and is another example of Freedman's impressive work in the market.

While the Glazers will remain in power at Old Trafford, Ratcliffe will assume control of sporting operations once his deal for a 25 per cent stake in the club is rubber-stamped.

As well as Murtough and Fletcher, it is believed that club chief executive Richard Arnold's role could also be at risk once the British billionaire is in situ at Old Trafford.

Dan Marsh