Manchester United now hopeful of securing backroom agreement with one transfer pursuit already in mind

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Ineos have made some significant missteps at Manchester United and are still trying to form the right team behind the scenes.

Manchester United fans were hoping that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos would bring success back to Old Trafford.

That was always going to be a long journey but finding the right men behind the scenes was the top priority.

United headhunted Dan Ashworth for the sporting director role, luring him away from Newcastle United.

Ashworth remarkably left United in December, bringing a rather premature end to his stay at Old Trafford.

Add in the decision to back and then sack Erik ten Hag alongside unpopular cost-cutting measures and Ineos haven’t exactly had the best season so far.

• READ MORE: Who are INEOS? Exploring Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s billion-pound business

Manchester United pushing for Christopher Vivell deal

Ashworth’s departure appeared to strengthen Jason Wilcox’s position at Old Trafford with the technical director now the leading man alongside Omar Berrada.

United did though add another key face to the recruitment side in July.

Christopher Vivell joined United as a director of recruitment, initially penning a short-term deal at Old Trafford.

We have now hit the January transfer window and the German is still here with United extending Vivell’s contact in September.

The Daily Mail now claim that United are now in talks to hand Vivell a permanent role at the club.

There is believed to be ‘optimism’ that United can find an agreement with Vivell and keep him at the club for the long-term.

Vivell, formerly of RB Leipzig and Chelsea, has been a long-time scout and analyst has stepped into bigger roles in recent years.

United may now rely on Vivell to lead transfer business with Ashworth gone, and a permanent, long-term contract would only solidify that importance.

• READ MORE: Ineos’ impressive hire of Christopher Vivell is already paying off, Manchester United have landed a bargain

Christopher Vivell may already have a signing in mind

United are unlikely to do much business in January and planning may already be focused around the summer instead.

Vivell will be hard at work finding potential signings and he may already have one player in mind.

United in Focus understand that Vivell is interested in signing Benjamin Sesko in 2025.

Vivell helped sign Sesko for RB Leipzig and the Slovenian striker remains on his radar.

Much will depend on United’s striking options; Rasmus Hojlund needs to step it up and Joshua Zirkzee may yet return to Italy.

If United do spend on another striker, Vivell may push for Sesko to be the man lured to Old Trafford.