Former Adidas marketing director Matt Hargreaves could be handed a major role in Manchester United summer’s transfer dealings as new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe shapes the club’s revamped structure above manager Erik ten Hag.
The resignation of football director John Murtough, announced on Tuesday, has accelerated United’s plans to get senior appointments in place before the start of next season, i understands.
However, while there remains hope that an agreement can be reached with Southampton to allow Jason Wilcox to become United’s new technical director in the coming months, Ineos’ most important new arrival, Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth, remains on gardening leave. There is no sign that an agreement over compensation to persuade the Magpies to release him earlier is any closer.
Until Wilcox and Ashworth are in place, Hargreaves, who joined the club without a background in football last June, will work alongside incoming chief executive Omar Berrada in helping oversee numerous player sales which are expected to take place this summer, while also getting incomings over the line.
A new head of recruitment had been sought, with former Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward and Tottenham’s former transfer chief Paul Mitchell among the names mentioned.
However, sources have told i that the club may not appoint an individual just to work on United transfer dealings, with Ineos considering the possibility of bringing someone in to undertake the role on behalf of all Ineos’ footballing portfolio and then report into Wilcox and Ashworth, when either are in place.
There remains frustration at Ineos that they have been unable to strike a deal with Newcastle and Southampton for Ashworth and Wilcox.
Newcastle are still holding out for towards £20m in compensation for Ashworth, but United are not willing to stretch that far, seeing a figure around £10m as being acceptable to allow him to start his new role this summer.
Negotiations for Wilcox were not expected to be this difficult either, with United feeling they did not step out of line in making their approach for the former Manchester City academy chief, offering 12 months’ salary as compensation. United sources have said that this offer meets a release clause in Wilcox’s contract – which Southampton dispute.
United sources have pointed out that this offer meets a release clause in Wilcox’s contract – something Southampton dispute, resulting in stalemate.
That leaves Hargraves temporarily filling Murtough’s role. Murtough was expected to see the season out and help plan for the following term, but his departure has thrust Hargreaves, who spent 14 years at Adidas in various roles, to the fore for now, with his own future beyond this summer uncertain, insiders added.
For supporters fearing a similar Ed Woodward-type figure – someone with no football background making key transfer decisions that have a huge effect on events on the pitch – they need not worry.
Sources insist this would only be a temporary solution while awaiting the arrival of Ashworth and Wilcox. It is then Ineos will have the structure they want in place to start their red revolution.
Who will answer to who at Man Utd?
In United’s new hierarchy, there will be a three-man committee overseeing all footballing operations at the club – Sir Dave Brailsford, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Joel Glazer.
Dan Ashworth will then sit below as sporting director, managing all elements of the footballing department, from transfers to having an input in the overall philosophy United will adopt. He will be assisted by current deputy football director Andy O’Boyle.
Jason Wilcox will come in and take a role below Ashworth. Director of player negotiations Matt Hargreaves is then lined up to work with Wilcox, should he be in place, on the club’s summer recruitment plans.
All of the new appointments will report to chief executive Omar Berrada, who is also set to have a hands-on role in recruitment this summer while United continue to negotiate with Newcastle for Ashworth.
It remains unclear at this stage what role current sporting director Darren Fletcher will have, but sources close to Ineos insisting the new co-owners want the former midfielder to stay in some capacity.