Roma attempting to deal huge blow to Sir Jim Ratcliffe and United with latest sporting director target

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AS Roma are attempting to jump ahead of Manchester UnIted in the race for sporting director Paul Mitchell, who is currently unemployed.

Manchester United have been linked with Paul Mitchell ever since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s 25 per cent stake in the club was rumoured to be close back in October.

Since then, Ratcliffe and the club finally confirmed the 71-year-old billionaire’s minority stake in the club was agreed, barring the Premier League’s Owners & Directors test, which has to be passed.

Ratcliffe himself revealed he expected to be in place at Old Trafford in early-mid February when he spoke to a cluster of journalists before United’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur.

Roma ready to steal Mitchell from United

According to a report from Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, AS Roma, who sacked Jose Mourinho with the club languishing in 9th place in Serie A, are ready to try and steal Mitchell from under the nose of those at Old Trafford.

With the departure of Tiago Pinto, as well as Mourinho, this means the Italian giants are also keen on adding a sporting director and have contacted Mitchell.

Christopher Vivell, who has had experience at Austrian side RB Salzburg and Chelsea has also been contacted by Roma with a view to becoming the side’s sporting director at the Stadio Olimpico.

United have surely put in more of the groundwork for the acquisition of the Englishman and with the former Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton man in charge of transfers, this could dawn a new age for the Red Devils.

United’s new structure

Jean-Claude Blanc and Sir Dave Brailsford look set to already be part of the board at Old Trafford although it is unclear what these roles for the pair will look like.

Dan Ashworth is the man who has been linked with a role as a technical director, it would be his responsibility to oversee all of the departments at Old Trafford and ensure there is a collegiate approach.

Mitchell, however, would be involved with the transfers you would suspect considering his record in the game. United need to get their act together because losing out on Mitchell would be disastrous.