Man Utd take key step towards Olise deal with Ratcliffe's new 'top target'

Tom Weber

5 Mar 2024 09:53 CST
4 min read

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Man Utd, 2023 — © IMAGO

Manchester United have identified Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman as the 'top target' for the head of recruitment role, according to a report.

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The Red Devils' shakeup under Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS continues. Omar Berrada has already been poached from Man City to be Man Utd's new CEO, while Newcastle director Dan Ashworth's appointment as the club's sporting director appears to be only a matter of time.

Ratcliffe and company are set to ring in a new era of competence at Man Utd and more major changes are being worked on for the coming weeks and months. Head coach Erik ten Hag, for example, is under intense pressure and some Man Utd players fully expect him to get the sack at the end of the season.

A new head of recruitment appears to be the next key piece in INEOS' front-office overhaul and Ratcliffe's men have been hard at work looking for qualified options. After being heavily linked with ex-City academy genius Jason Wilcox, the Red Devils now appear to have settled on a new 'top target.'

Ratcliffe eyes Palace transfer guru

According to The Independent, and since backed up by The Guardian, Ratcliffe's new 'top target' is Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman, with Man Utd expected to make an official approach soon. A former player and coach, Freedman re-joined the Eagles in his new role in 2017 and has since made a name for himself with his ability to unearth Premier League-level talent.

Goodman is the man who brought Marc Guehi and Michael Olise to Selhurst Park, with both developing into outstanding players at Palace. Intriguingly, both have also been linked with Man Utd. The aforementioned Ashworth previously targeted Guehi for Newcastle and could reignite his interest.

Olise, meanwhile, is one of the Red Devils' top targets for the summer, with Ratcliffe already greenlighting the pursuit of the Frenchman. The right-winger would replace transfer-listed €95 million flop Antony. The appointment of Freedman could give Man Utd a crucial advantage over Chelsea and Arsenal in the race to sign Olise.