Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman open to Manchester United move

Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman is being targeted by Manchester United to become the club’s new head of recruitment.

The Independent broke the story this afternoon stating that United are set to make an official approach for Freedman, who had a successful spell as Palace’s manager before returning as sporting director in 2017.

It is understood that Freedman has been identified as the ideal candidate to work within the structure being put in place by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos Sports group at United. They have plans to make lots of changes at board level.

A new report from The Guardian claims Freedman is open to move to United despite his strong relationship with the Palace chairman, Steve Parish. The Eagles don’t usually stand in the way of people trying to step up in their careers and it remains to be seen if they will demand a compensation fee from United.

Planning for the summer transfer window is expected to start properly once United hire a sporting director and head of recruitment. Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth is expected to be appointed sporting director but he is currently on gardening leave.

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