Man Utd ready approach for head of recruitment target - reports

Manchester United have made Dougie Freedman their top target for their new head of recruitment role, according to several reports.

Freedman currently serves as the sporting director at Crystal Palace and has been praised for his work during his time upstairs at Selhurst Park.

The Independent were first to report on Tuesday that the former striker was United's main candidate to become the club's head of recruitment with new shareholders INEOS reckoning he would be a perfect fit for their new setup. Other major outlets have since backed up this report.

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Freedman, who scored 108 goals in 368 matches for Palace during his playing days, is said to have impressed with his role in making the most of the Eagles' large south London catchment area and building a young squad that has become an established Premier League side.

United are eager to fill this vacancy quickly as incoming chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth both have to serve a period of gardening leave. Palace would be open to allowing Freedman the chance to join the Red Devils but only after offering him a new contract to convince him to stay first.

The Guardian add Freedman, whose family live in the Manchester area, is open to joining United despite enjoying a good relationship with Palace chairman Steve Parish. He was most recently a crucial figure in Palace's recent appointment of Oliver Glasner as new manager.

An official approach has not been made yet but Palace are braced to receive one in the coming days.

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