United linked with director of football appointment yet again

For the gazillionth time, Manchester United have been linked with appointing a director of football.

The Telegraph report ‘exclusively’ that United want a director of football to join the existing structure at the club, rather than bringing a total overhaul.

But United supporters have heard this time and time again, and nothing happens.

This was a topic of conversation even when Jose Mourinho was at the club, and heightened after his sacking in December 2018.

The Athletic reported in September 2019 that after months of inactivity in the area, United ‘no longer’ saw it as a priority and Ed Woodward was satisfied with the existing structure.

RONALDO NEEDS TO STOP WHINING.

Being cynical, you could conclude United never had any intention of appointing a director of football, and the idea of change was floated at a time of discontent to placate unhappy fans.

Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images

Getting in there early?

The timing of this report is interesting, given what is on the line for Manchester United this weekend.

The club are 90 minutes away from success in qualifying for the Champions League, or an embarrassing loss which would see us fail to finish in the top four.

There will be anger directed at the players and manager if United lose, but most of all it will be the board who get the blame, after leaving the team under-prepared heading into the season by signing just three players last summer.

So it will be convenient for the club to turn around and say ‘look we are trying to change and get this sorted’ as we have heard before, time and time again, at moments of discontent.

If it actually happens this time, there will be total surprise all round.

So far, the club do not appear very serious about it. The Telegraph‘s report says no candidates have yet been shortlisted by Ed Woodward.

Candidates should have been identified back in January or February, and appointments made long ahead of this transfer window.

Now if a director of football does get appointed, it is unlikely to be until after the transfer window closes in October.

Role can have benefits

Any move which helps Manchester United become smarter in the transfer window can only benefit the team.

Bringing in a head of recruitment with a proven track record would help United, especially at a time where money has to be spent smartly.

United have got a lot wrong in the post-Fergie era and having a director of football appointed in either 2013 or 2014 could have saved a lot of grief and needless expense.

Now as we enter the end of the 2019/20 season, this just sounds like bluster being leaked by the club to the media, and not a realistic possibility.

Where United are concerned, only action on this front is required now. The time for talk and promises has long gone, as when they are repeated over and over again, nobody believes them.

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