Sir Jim Ratcliffe questioned by Ferdinand as Man Utd legend concerned about plan
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has raised question marks over the potential arrival of Dougie Freedman at Old Trafford. The Crystal Palace chief is reportedly one of the names Sir Jim Ratcliffe is considering appointing once his purchase goes through.
United are set to announce imminently that INEOS founder Ratcliffe has bought a 25 per cent stake in the club. The British billionaire will have a big say on footballing decisions and is set to revamp the hierarchy currently in place.
Football director John Murtough and technical director Darren Fletcher are two figures whose futures are in doubt. One guarantee is that Ratcliffe will bring with him the former British Cycling chief Sir Dave Brailsford.
Ratcliffe will then look to appoint a sporting director. Paul Mitchell is among the candidates, as are Michael Edwards and Julian Ward, who both had time at rivals Liverpool.
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But the Daily Star claims Freedman’s name is another under consideration. It is claimed Brailsford in particular is pushing for Freedman to be given a role.
Former Scotland striker Freedman had spells in management at Palace, Bolton and Nottingham Forest before returning to Selhurst Park in August 2017 as sporting director. He has helped stabilised Palace as a Premier League club and also made a number of impressive signings.
But Ferdinand does not think he has the reputation behind him yet to take on a similar role at a club the size of United. He said on his YouTube channel Vibe with Five: “His name has come out of left field. No disrespect, but I don’t remember anyone saying ‘Wow, look at what Palace are doing’.
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“Paul Mitchell, I get it, he has a history of doing good things and the same with Michael Edwards, Julian Ward at Liverpool. They have a body of successful work that is recognised, so has Dan Ashworth with England and then Brighton and now at Newcastle.
“You can understand that but nobody says that about Palace. (Michael) Olise, (Eberechi) Eze and (Marc) Guehi are three players you look at that have been good signings but for every one of those, there are others that haven’t worked.
“They don’t have a reputation that makes you understand why United would go for him. Dan Ashworth has been in these roles before but John Murtough has worked in positions that aren’t based around football. He was helping out behind the scenes but not in football things.”
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