John Murtough handed Man Utd lifeline as Sir Jim Ratcliffe plans Fergie talks
John Murtough is confident he will be kept on by Sir Jim Ratcliffe during the transition process despite the long-term uncertainty over his position as Manchester United football director.
Last week, United confirmed the departure of Richard Arnold as chief executive after just two years in the role, with Patrick Stewart set to take the reins on an interim basis. The announcement came as Ratcliffe edged ever closer to complete a £1.3billion deal, which will see him have a 25 per cent stake in the club.
Murtough's position has also come under threat with Ratcliffe's INEOS team reportedly looking at replacements for a new sporting director. Crystal Palace's Dougie Freedman, ex-Tottenham chief Paul Mitchell, Atletico Madrid's Andrea Berta and Atalanta's Lee Congerton have all been linked with the job, while former AC Milan duo Paulo Maldini and Ricky Massara are also said to be in the frame.
However, despite this, Murtough expects to work alongside INEOS and Ratcliffe throughout the transition process when Ratcliffe's deal is confirmed, according to The Telegraph. The report adds that Murtough could even stay for longer if his role changes in a way that suits both parties.
Ratcliffe had wanted to complete a deal by now, but it is unknown whether it will be all wrapped up before the end of the international break. There are fears that it be next week when the transaction is announced by United and Ratcliffe, who is preparing to take charge of football operations at Old Trafford.
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It is unclear at this stage who Ratcliffe is keen to keep on board at United and which staff he is prepared to let go of. Ratcliffe feels the level of United's recruitment has declined since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, despite spending over £1bn on new players, with Paul Pogba still United's record transfer.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is closing in on a deal to buy 25 perfect of Manchester United (PA)Ratcliffe is planning to ask Ferguson, who won 38 trophies during his time at United, for advice as he plans to transform the football side. United have failed to win a Premier League title after Ferguson's departure, claiming just four major honours across four different managers.
With Ratcliffe's deal imminent, there will be a six to eight week ratification process done by the Premier League, where the 71-year-old will have to wait before he can press ahead with any plans. This would explain the frustration behind the delay at United, with the January transfer window just over a month away.
Arnold's departure was seen as the first of many outgoings from United over the next few months. Rumours over the past week had circulated that Murtough's office had been cleared out as Ratcliffe prepared for a change. Murtough has been on a short holding during the two-week hiatus, but is set to return on Wednesday ahead of the restart of domestic football, with United travelling to Everton on Sunday.
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