Manchester United are continuing work behind the scenes to form a strong leadership group headed up by new investors Ineos.
Manchester United set the tone for a bright future under Ineos earlier this month by hiring Omar Berrada as chief executive, successfully poaching him from Manchester City.
More hires are expected, with Manchester United eyeing a sporting director. There could be more than one appointment, with iNews reporting last month that Paul Mitchell could be brought in too as a head of recruitment.
And while Mitchell is currently not in work, after leaving his role at Monaco, no switch to Manchester United is believed to be imminent.
Paul Mitchell latest
In an interview with Five, journalist David Ornstein has provided an update on where the Mitchell to Manchester United links stand.
He does not believe the former Southampton, Tottenham and RB Leipzig man is Old Trafford bound.
“My understand is that this isn’t a position that he was particularly seeing himself in the frame for from the beginning, from a long time ago, and made that clear to the Ineos guys.
“And they were all on the same page. They all know each other, Ineos largely based in the south of France, Paul Mitchell was the sporting director of Monaco.
“This would have been something which would have been broached a long time ago. I can only go on my information and speaking to people around the industry, it was never something Paul Mitchell was looking to pursue and Ineos were aware of that.”
Julian Ward a name to watch
Ornstein added that a name to watch is former Liverpool director Julian Ward, adding that he is ‘very highly regarded’.
Manchester United also remain interested in Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth, although the Magpies are reluctant to lose him.
He added that Ineos might end up pulling off a total surprise, a name which has not been mentioned at all, similar to the Berrada appointment, which was secured with an unusual amount of secrecy and efficiency.
READ MORE: Join the conversation with the United in Focus Whatsapp group
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
