Ex-Liverpool man discussed for major Manchester United role

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Manchester United have considered a move to appoint former Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward under Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

The last few days have been dramatic for United fans as the club’s ownership has taken centre stage in the international break.

Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim has completely backed away from the race to buy United having failed to agree a deal with the Glazer family.

That means that a total takeover now appears to be off the table, which is a huge source of disappointment for United supporters.

Instead, the Glazers look set to sell a 25% stake to Sir Jim Ratcliffe in a deal worth around £1.3billion.

Julian Ward on the radar for Manchester United move

The expectation is that Ratcliffe will take over football operations once that deal is done, potentially sparking the arrival of a sporting director.

Former Monaco man Paul Mitchell looks to be the favourite but The Athletic suggest that other names are in the frame.

One of them is Julian Ward, with the report claiming that he has been discussed as a potential appointment as Ratcliffe forms his plan.

The report notes that Michael Edwards – Ward’s predecessor at Liverpool – has also been mentioned.

The problem surrounds whether either Ward or Edwards would be keen on a Premier League return at this stage.

Ward left Liverpool earlier this year and Edwards quit a year earlier, so Ratcliffe may struggle to lure them back to the Premier League.

Who is former Liverpool and Manchester City man Ward?

Ward was on the books at Morecambe, Hyde, Kidsgrove Athletic, Larne and Lisburn in his playing career before hanging up his boots in 2008.

The 42-year-old had already been doing analysis for the England Under-20 setup but then helped out the Portuguese national team upon his retirement.

Ward then moved to Manchester City, spending two years as a scout before joining another of United’s rivals in Liverpool.

Ward made his way up in the Liverpool ranks from scout to Loan Player Manager, then technical director and finally sporting director before leaving in May.

United may now target Ward but, if we had to guess, we would back Mitchell as a more likely appointment.