Potential Manchester United target deserved ‘huge credit’ for landing potential signing for just £8 million
Dan Owen
With Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos chasing a host of ‘best in class’, behind-the-scenes appointments at Manchester United, the Red Devils could – for the first time in recent memory – find themselves operating like a genuinely elite-level club in the transfer market.
Gone – hopefully, anyway – are the last-gasp trolley dashes, the panic signings, and the months of drawn-out, very public transfer sagas.
If the sudden and unexpected appointment of Omar Berrada as the club’s new CEO is anything to go by, Ineos prefer to do things swiftly, quietly, and in the shadows, even if those Dan Ashworth delays suggest that there are still lessons to be learned.
It is expected that Ashworth – who has been placed on gardening leave by Newcastle – will still be appointed, his arrival at Old Trafford seen as a case of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’. Ashworth is likely to take on a wide-ranging role encompassing various departments, with United also planning to hire a specialist recruitment chief to oversee the incomings and (presumably many) outgoings.
West Ham United v Crystal Palace – Premier League
Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
Manchester United want Dougie Freedman
The Independent report that Dougie Freedman, currently of Crystal Palace, has emerged as the ‘top target’ for the head of recruitment role despite rumours also linking ex-Liverpool chief Julian Ward with the job.
And it may be no coincidence that two of the players who have been linked with Man United ahead of their first summer under Ineos control are not only well known to Freedman, but were brought to Selhurst Park by Freedman himself.
The 49-year-old Glasgwegian has built up a reputation as one of the most intelligent operators when it comes to snapping up young, hungry, homegrown talent. That, it seems, is an approach Ineos are keen to prioritise at Old Trafford with Michael Olise and Marc Guehi – who joined Palace on Freedman’s watch from Reading and Chelsea for a combined £26 million – two who could follow the director from Selhurst to Manchester.
MORE UNITED STORIES
‘Wonderful’ Manchester United midfielder’s loan spell is effectively over, he’s not expected to play for his club again
‘Wonderful’ Manchester United midfielder’s loan spell is effectively over, he’s not expected to play for his club again
United In Focus
1 hour ago
Manchester United have accepted 40-year-old was hired with the wrong job title
Manchester United have accepted 40-year-old was hired with the wrong job title
United In Focus
2 hours ago
Manchester United boost over £60m transfer target as club eye replacement option
Manchester United boost over £60m transfer target as club eye replacement option
United In Focus
2 hours ago
‘He wasn’t ready’: Former teammate says Mourinho ruined star’s Man United ‘dream’
‘He wasn’t ready’: Former teammate says Mourinho ruined star’s Man United ‘dream’
United In Focus
3 hours ago
Manchester United could get injury boost v Everton, big money player determined to return
Manchester United could get injury boost v Everton, big money player determined to return
United In Focus
3 hours ago
“At one stage, with Michael Olise, that looked like it might not be possible.
“For me, the best thing about this transfer window is that we still have the team I came here to work with.
“We are still working and improving and the club is always open to improving, and Steve Parish and Doug Freedman are still working at this moment to see if we can bring in players to improve the team.”
Freedman jumped at the chance to sign Olise and Guehi after being impressed by their performances in the Championship, the latter part of the Swansea City side who reached the play-off final under Steve Cooper in 2021.
READ MORE: Who are INEOS? Exploring Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s billion-pound business
United eye Crystal Palace stars Olise and Guehi
Olise, now one of the Premier League’s most consistent creative talents and a likely successor for Antony, was earmarked early in the Ineos regime as a priority target (The Standard). It is believed that the boyhood Man United fan would choose the Red Devils over rival suitors Chelsea.
The £50 million-rated Guehi, meanwhile, is a player Ashworth has admired for some time. Ashworth wanted to bring the England international to Newcastle. Palace, The Telegraph add, are already planning for his departure while scouting several potential successors.
And, should he be joined in the United boardroom by Freedman – a man who knows Guehi better than most – that will surely do no harm to Ashworth’s hopes of finally landing one of the most complete young central defenders on the market.
Freedman, interestingly, was praised highly by Palace chairman Steve Parish after fighting off competition to bring Olise to South London in 2021 for just £8 million. Should he repeat the trick at United, the Glasgow-born talentspotter would find himself becoming an early fans’ favourite at United too.
“Dougie Freedman has done an incredible amount of work,” Parish beamed. “Dougie and his team have to take huge credit for bringing Michael to the club because there was a lot of competition for him.
“Identifying talent is one thing. But recruiting talent into the club is quite another.”
Freedman, it seems, excels in both departments.
NEW: Sign up to our United In Focus WhatsApp channel
©
Leave a Reply