{"id":297271,"date":"2023-11-16T17:09:32","date_gmt":"2023-11-16T17:09:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/?p=297271"},"modified":"2023-11-16T17:09:32","modified_gmt":"2023-11-16T17:09:32","slug":"man-utd-hint-as-alex-ferguson-role-emerges-with-ratcliffe-drawing-up-shortlist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/soccer\/man-utd-hint-as-alex-ferguson-role-emerges-with-ratcliffe-drawing-up-shortlist\/","title":{"rendered":"Man Utd hint as Alex Ferguson role emerges with Ratcliffe drawing up shortlist"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Incoming Manchester United minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe could reportedly lean on the advice of club icon Sir Alex Ferguson when picking a sporting director, it has been claimed. Ferguson\u2019s input could supposedly be good news for Crystal Palace chief Dougie Freedman\u2019s chances of winning the role after John Murtough\u2019s impending departure.<\/p>\n

Murtough is widely tipped to leave United once Ratcliffe\u2019s \u00a31.4million bid for 25 per-cent of the club is ratified over the coming weeks. The director of football will depart alongside CEO Richard Arnold.<\/p>\n

Ratcliffe\u2019s bid is being made through his petrochemicals giant INEOS, who will reportedly take over the sporting arm of the Premier League club. The 71-year-old British billionaire will oversee a major overhaul of the Old Trafford outfit.<\/p>\n

One of Ratcliffe\u2019s first jobs will be to appoint a replacement for Murtough. United will need a new head of their sporting department once Murtough leaves.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: <\/strong> Man Utd cull continues as Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘to axe Murtough’ after transfer woe[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n

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According to the Daily Telegraph, Ratcliffe will lean on the advice of legendary former Red Devils manager Ferguson, whose input could be crucial in selecting the new individual. Ferguson is reportedly keen on Palace sporting director Freedman, whose savvy work at Selhurst Park over the last six years has not gone unnoticed among the Premier League’s biggest clubs.<\/p>\n

However, Freedman is just one of five people Ratcliffe is considering appointing. Atalanta\u2019s Lee Congerton, former AC Milan pair Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara, and Atletico Madrid\u2019s Andrea Berta are also in the frame for the job, the report claims.<\/p>\n

Leaning on Ferguson\u2019s advice would likely be a popular move by Ratcliffe, whose bid has caused controversy due to it meaning that the deeply unpopular Glazer family remain at Old Trafford. Ferguson spent 26 years as manager at United and won 13 Premier League titles.<\/p>\n