Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘is keen to poach Crystal Palace’s sporting director Dougie Freedman’ – with the incoming Man United owner eyeing a major shakeup at Old Trafford

• Sir Jim Ratcliffe is expected to announce his purchase of a stake in Man United 
• The INEOS CEO is eyeing a shakeup when his 25 percent purchase is completed 
• Man Utd are NOT good enough to have a ball-playing keeper – It’s All Coming Up 

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly eyeing up a swoop for Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman once the British billionaire’s £1.3billion deal to buy a 25 percent stake in Manchester United is completed. 

In the last few days, reports have claimed that the INEOS CEO could ‘axe three Man United chiefs – including CEO Richard Arnold’. 

The 71-year-old is reportedly considering an overhaul of the club’s executive team and is thought to be considering an investment of approximately £245million to improve the club’s infrastructure. 

According to The Daily Star, that could include the acquisition of Freedman, who has been in charge of Crystal Palace’s recruitment since 2017. 

The outlet claims that the former Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest manager has ‘caught the attention of Ratcliffe and Sir David Brailsford’, who is assisting the petrochemicals magnate with the transaction.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is considering a major shake up of Man United’s executive team, amid his potential investment in the club

The petrochemicals magnate is reportedly eyeing a swoop for Crystal Palace sporting director Michael Freedman

United have spent £1bn in transfers over the past three years, with Erik ten Hag’s side largely failing to show that investment on the pitch

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Ratcliffe’s deal is expected to be finalised during the upcoming international break, following what has been a long takeover process that began in March.

The former Scotland striker, Freedman, who enjoyed spells at Palace, Forest, Wolves and Leeds during his playing career could replace United’s current technical director John Murtough and football director Darren Fletcher, who’s positions are believed to be at risk. 

It comes as the Red Devils have blown more than £1bn in transfers across the past three years but have little to show for their investment on the pitch. 

While Erik ten Hag’s side clinched the EFL Cup last year, they have had to wait for silverware, with their last major trophy coming after Jose Mourinho guided the 20-time English champions to Europa League glory in 2017. 

Reports have also suggested that Ratcliffe has built a shortlist of possible candidates, which includes former Monaco sporting director Paul Mitchell, while ex-Liverpool sporting directors Michael Edwards and Julian Ward are also in the frame. 

Freedman, meanwhile, has built his reputation after overseeing the acquisitions of young stars Michael Olise, Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze. 

The trio have been catching the attention of suitors around the Premier League, with Guehi’s fine performances earning him the captain’s armband in recent years. 

The central-defender was signed by the club back in 2018 for a fee of £18m and has grown to becoming one of the most pivotal players in Roy Hodgson’s side.

Ratcliffe is expected to announce his purchase of a 25 percent stake in the club in the next few weeks

Freedman, meanwhile, has overseen the acquisions of some of Palace’s top stars, including Marc Guehi 

Freedman also helped the club acuire Michael Olise, another of the Eagle’s top stars, having bought the midfielder for £8million in 2021 and tied him down to a new contract this summer

Equally, Olise, who signed a new four-year contract earlier this summer, joined the club from Reading back in 2021 for a fee of £8m. 

But the news comes amid a tumultuous start to the season that has seen Ten Hag’s side fail to live up to expectations, with United struggling to find the back of the net. 

They have also lost several key players to injury, with Casemiro, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Lisandro Martinez all missing games this season. 

Their injury woes were further compounded after the Red Devils lost both Cristian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund with injuries during their 1-0 victory against Luton on Saturday.

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