Paolo Maldini is the latest name in the mix for Manchester United as Sir Jim Ratcliffe targets a new sporting director.
We are expecting confirmation of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment in Manchester United within a matter of days at this point.
BBC Sport report that Ratcliffe will soon purchase a 25% stake in United, paying around £1.25billion in the process.
The expectation is that Ratcliffe will take over football operations, with some big changes in mind.
A new sporting director is wanted and whilst Paul Mitchell looks to be the favourite, there are other names in the mix.
Manchester United interested in Paolo Maldini
The Telegraph now claim that Paolo Maldini is one of the names under consideration by Ratcliffe and co.
Ricky Massara, who worked alongside Maldini at AC Milan, is also in the mix, potentially opening the door for them to join together and resume their partnership.
Maldini is one of the legends of the game having racked up more than 900 appearances for AC Milan and more than 125 for Italy.
Maldini won seven Serie A titles and five European Cups, enjoying a glittering career as a one-club man in Milan.
An iconic defender in his playing days, Maldini ended up becoming technical director at Milan and spent four years in the job.
Maldini was axed in June and may now fancy a return to football with United now considering his merits for the Ratcliffe era.
Who did Maldini sign for AC Milan?
The Telegraph’s report notes that Maldini was very influential in bringing Fikayo Tomori to Milan from Chelsea in 2021.
The England international has kicked on at the San Siro, and United fans would surely love a defender of his quality at Old Trafford.
Maldini’s first summer as technical director was a successful one as the likes of Ismael Bennacer, Rafael Leao, Theo Hernandez and Franck Kessie all joined.
2020 addition Pierre Kalulu is emerging now and he was joined by Sandro Tonali and even Manchester United full back Diogo Dalot.
Milan lost Gianluigi Donnarumma in 2021 but Maldini re-tooled, adding Mike Maignan and Olivier Giroud as Milan won the Serie A title in the 2021-22 season.
The 2022 recruitment ended up being a disappointment; Charles De Ketelaere was a complete bust, Divock Origi flopped and loanee Sergino Dest made no impact.
That proved to be Maldini’s final summer window as, despite Milan reaching the Champions League final, he was given his marching orders.
Players like Maignan, Tomori, Hernandcez, Tonali and Leao would be welcomed at United and that record may just leave Ratcliffe to consider a deal.
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