Manchester United view Dougie Freedman as their top target for the head of recruitment role, with Crystal Palace braced for an approach in the coming days.
According to The Independent’s Miguel Delaney, Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman is Manchester United’s first choice to become the club’s new head of recruitment.
The Red Devils have searched the market for a figurehead to supervise their recruitment since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s partial takeover of the Old Trafford outfit, who have wasted almost £1.3 billion on player transfer fees post Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, but haven’t won a title, with their squad looking miles behind compared to that of Manchester City, Liverpool, or even Arsenal’s.
Michael Edwards and Danny Ward were both rumoured for the role after their fine work at Liverpool, while AS Monaco’s Paul Mitchell, who excelled at Southampton and Tottenham, was also of interest.
However, the Independent says United have decided on Crystal Palace’s Freedman and will make a move for him this week.
Who is Dougie Freedman?
Freedman took up the role of Crystal Palace sporting director in 2017 and played an instrumental role in bringing former boss Patrick Vieira to the club.
The 49-year-old also secured deals for talented duo Marc Guehi and Michael Olise, while wrapping up the successful loan signing of Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher in 2021.
His other notable signings include the £18 million acquisition of Cheick Doucoure from Lens, Eberechi Eze for £16 million from Queens Park Rangers, and the £15 million paid to Lyon for defender Joachim Andersen.
In addition to making smart acquisitions, Freedman has overseen Palace’s scouting department and made the most of the talent in south-west London, which has produced players such as Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Wilfried Zaha, and Tyrick Mitchell in recent years.
Manchester United have already sealed the appointment of chief executive officer Omar Berrada and are expected to announce Dan Ashworth’s signing as sporting director in the near future, but the duo cannot start working just yet as they have been placed on gardening leave by Manchester City and Newcastle United, respectively.
Freedman could be available to start work immediately, with Palace unlikely to stand in the way.
