Sports

Manchester United to resume search for technical director


At £80m, Manchester United’s acquisition of Harry Maguire from Leicester in the transfer window was the biggest deal in the Premier League

Manchester United will turn their attention to appointing a technical director now their summer transfer window business is complete.

United’s initial intention was to make an appointment before Jose Mourinho’s successor as manager was confirmed.

But for this window, boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer operated within the existing recruitment structure.

The club spent £140m on the signings of defenders Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka and winger Daniel James.

When Solskjaer was given the job on a permanent basis on 28 March, club insiders said the role would be filled by the start of the season.

Former players Darren Fletcher and Rio Ferdinand spoke to executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward a number of weeks ago.

Although it is understood there has been no further face-to-face contact, Woodward has kept the pair in the loop over changes to the timescale for an appointment.

No offer has been made and it is thought the role would not involve negotiating with or signing transfer targets.

Social media unrest

Not everyone thinks United have had a good transfer window.

In particular, many fans on social media feel United made an error in not attempting to sign midfielder Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon.

It was also suggested their interest in Argentina forward Paulo Dybala was used as a smokescreen given they have been unable to sign an additional forward, as it had been obvious for some time that Romelu Lukaku would be leaving at some stage.

At one point on Thursday, #WoodwardOut