9 months ago
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MANCHESTER UNITED are in the midst of a footballing revolution they hope will fire them back to the top of the game.
And a former Scotland international looks set to be playing a MAJOR role in that revolution.
Times Newspapers Ltd
Reuters
PASir Jim Ratcliffe completed his deal to buy 25 per-cent of Man Utd last month and things have been moving quickly.
Omar Berrada was brought in from rivals Man City to become the new chief executive BEFORE Ratcliffe’s takeover had been officially rubber stamped.
The new regime has also targeted Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth as their new technical director with the former Brighton chief closing in on that move.
And another key role in the overhaul of the football department’s looks like it’s about to be taken by a forgotten former Scotland striker.
Accrording to The Independent, Dougie Freedman is the man United want to become their new head of recruitment.
Born in Glasgow, Freedman won two caps for his country.
He scored on his international debut in a 2-1 win over Latvia in 2001 but only managed to add one further cap, with that appearance coming the following year.
Although born in Scotland, Freedman spent his entire playing career in England.
Having failed to make the first team at QPR, he broke through at Barnet and after a stunning debut season in front of goal earned a big move to Crystal Palace in 1995.
Freedman would go on to play for Wolves, Nottingham Forest and Leeds as well, but it was with Palace he became a legend.
He made just shy of 400 appearances across two spells for the Eagles.
After retiring from playing in 2010, Freedman entered coaching and became Crystal Palace manager in 2011.
Having initially been caretaker, he was appointed permanently and managed to steer the club to safety from Championship relegation.
Freedman left Palace to take over as Bolton manager in 2012 before being sacked in 2014.
He’d go on to become boss at another of his former clubs, Nottingham Forest, between 2015 and 2016.
That would be his last job in management because he’s found plenty of success after moving into an upstairs role.
Freedman returned to Crystal Palace once more in 2017 as sporting director and he’s achieved plenty of success.
He’s overseen the recruitment of several players who have gone on to become huge Palace stars, including England internationals Ebere Eze and Marc Guehi.
And it’s deals like that that certainly appear to have put him in line for the stunning move to Old Trafford.
But it’s understood Palace are keen to keep Freedman, 49, at the club.
They’re expected to offer him a new contract in a bid to fend off United’s advances.
The overhaul of key personnel at Old Trafford comes with continued disappointment on the park.
Erik Ten Hag’s men are 6th in the Premier League table, 11 points off the top four and 19 behind leaders Liverpool.
Several key signings have flopped or flattered to deceive, with goalkeeper Andre Onana, Antony and Jadon Sancho – who has since returned to Borussia Dortmund – failing to meet expectations.
That’s why the club are so keen to overhaul things on the recruitment side of things.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
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