Jim Ratcliffe is revamping the decision-making team at Old Trafford (Picture: Getty Images)
Manchester United’s recruitment drive under their new co-owners is not going down well with other clubs, as the Red Devils poach key staff from a number of rivals.
Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos team are revamping the football decision-making department at the club, hoping to set up a much more successful structure behind the scenes, especially in recruitment.
Manchester United are attempting to appoint Southampton’s Jason Wilcox as their new technical director and bring in Dan Ashworth from Newcastle United as sporting director.
Neither the Saints nor the Magpies are happy to let their key employees leave and will not do so without the Red Devils paying what they see as a fair price for them.
Southampton are disputing United’s belief that they have met a release clause in Wilcox’s contract which is the equivalent of a year’s salary and could make him serve his 12-month notice period if an appropriate fee is not agreed.
Ashworth has been put on gardening leave by Newcastle, who are asking for around £20m to allow him to move to Old Trafford, a fee that Ratcliffe deems far too expensive.
United have also poached Omar Berrada from Manchester City, with the Spaniard set to join as CEO, but the deals for Wilcox and Ashworth are yet to be completed.
Omar Berrada is expected to begin his role in the summer (Picture: Getty)
The Sun report that United’s moves for their new hierarchy are not going down well at all across football and the new ownership is already proving unpopular.
Berrada was appointed in January, although will not start work until the summer when his notice period at City runs out.
‘Manchester United is pleased to announce the appointment of Omar Berrada as its new CEO,’ a club statement read in January.
‘It is our stated ambition to re-establish Manchester United as a title-winning club. We are pleased that Omar will be joining us to help achieve that goal, so that, once again, United fans can see, in the words of Sir Matt Busby, the red flag flying high at the summit of English, European and world football.
‘Omar’s start date will be confirmed in due course; in the meantime, Patrick Stewart will continue as interim CEO.’
MORE : Paul Merson makes Chelsea v Manchester United prediction and fires sack warning to Erik ten Hag
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Manchester United news, exclusives and analysis
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.