Atletico Madrid chief potentially being hired at Manchester United might save on loan star’s career at Old Trafford

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With his future uncertain beyond January, let alone the summer, Manchester United’s on-loan left-back Sergio Reguilon should be taking a keen interest in the club’s pursuit of an elite-level director of football.

The Spain international joined on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer.

A break clause in Sergio Reguilon’s contract, however, means Manchester United can send him packing back to North London as early the winter if or when Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia return to fitness. And if Reguilon is keen to avoid an early return to the capital, the potential appointment of Andrea Berta could be the first step towards the 26-year-old earning himself a longer-term stay at Old Trafford.

Sergio Reguilon decision looming for Man United

According to The Telegraph, Atletico Madrid chief Berta is one of a number of director of football targets under consideration by Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Ditto Atalanta’s Lee Congerton, Crystal Palace’s Dougie Freedman. The unattached duo Paolo Maldini and Paul Mitchell are on the list too, with the latter considered the favourite by many. 

Berta, sporting director at the Wanda Metropolitano since 2017, has a history with Reguilon, which could work in the defender’s favour if he lands the job.

The 51-year-old Italian played a big role in the deal which saw the one-time Real Madrid defender return to the Spanish capital on another temporary deal only a year ago.

“My agent called me, he conveyed his interest to me and it was a blast. I said; ‘yes, do whatever it takes to get (me to Atletico)’,” Reguilon told Marca at the time.

“(The deal) was very fast. (Done) in 48 hours. Andrea Berta and the coach (Diego Simeone) conveyed everything to me. Everything was very easy. It gave me a lot of happiness.”

Marca adds that it was Berta himself who identified Reguilon, who once joined Tottenham for a cool £28 million, as the ideal successor for Renan Lodi after the Brazilian departed for Nottingham Forest.

And if Reguilon is keen to put down roots at Old Trafford and bring an end to a rather nomadic period, a reunion with Berta in Manchester could go a long way to making that dream a reality.

‘He loves Manchester’

“Manchester United are very happy with Sergio Reguilon,” Fabrizio Romano told The United Stand in September.

“The idea was to have him as cover when Shaw and Malacia were out, hence the break clause in January. But a permanent move can’t be ruled out.”

“(Reguilon) loves the club and loves Manchester. He probably needed that, to be motivated again, and to be part of a club where he’s in the plans again.”