Man Utd hire US firm to find top talent scout as Red Devils fear they’re falling behind two rivals in transfer market
MANCHESTER UNITED are using an American recruitment firm to find them a new top talent spotter.
United have hired the Los Angeles-based Pace agency to sift through candidates for an ‘emerging talent scout’ role.
The Red Devils think that they are falling short in that department compared to neighbours Manchester City and Prem rivals Chelsea.
But outsourcing rather than using their own people to discover someone suitable is a surprise move.
The first stage of the interview process is also different.
Candidates are interviewed via a computer before their answers are analysed.
It comes after Sir Jim Ratcliffe made his first major power play at United by axing the club’s chief executive Richard Arnold.
Ineos supremo Ratcliffe is set to take control of 25 per cent of the Red Devils for £1.3billion from loathed US owners the Glazers.
And his first move was to get rid of Arnold, who has spent 16 years at Old Trafford and took over from Ed Woodward as CEO last year.
Former Juventus chief executive Jean-Claude Blanc, Ineos’ Sport CEO, has emerged as one of the favourites to take the role.
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He works closely with the Ineos director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford, the British cycling mastermind who is believed to have regularly visited United’s Carrington HQ ahead of Ratcliffe’s imminent deal, which will see the Brit billionaire take on sporting operations.
Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman is in the frame for a similar role at United when Ratcliffe takes over sporting control at Old Trafford.
He has helped Palace sign the likes of Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise, Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi and Cheick Doucoure.