How Man Utd recruitment team can reject Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s transfer targets

Manchester United’s recruitment team have come under necessary criticism in recent years.

The club’s recruitment has been disastrous in the post Sir Alex Ferguson era and has resulted in the slow demise from title challenges to European hopefuls.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the man in charge of the United rebuild but his recruitment staff cannot afford to again get signings wrong in what is a critical period for the club.

Remarkably, United are still without a director of football meaning final decisions are still being made by those with a lack of footballing knowledge.

READ MORE: Video: Pundits provide spot-on analysis of Anthony Martial’s Man Utd form

The Daily Mail has provided an interesting breakdown of the recruitment team at United responsible for identifying targets and getting deals over the line.

According to their report, the current structure at the club means the recruitment team has the power to veto any potential targets that the manager wants to sign.

Therefore, if it decided that a target a manager has identified is rejected by members of the recruitment department, it is up to Vice-Executive chairman Ed Woodward to let the boss know.

This was the case during Jose Mourinho’s spell in charge when he wanted a centre-back in the summer before his departure, but was told by Woodward that the recruitment team did not agree with his demands.

It is unsurprising that the atmosphere at the club soon became toxic as it became clear Mourinho did not have full control of rebuilding the United squad.

United’s recruitment setup including Matt Judge (Head of corporate affairs), Mick Court (Chief Technical Scout), and Jim Lawlor (Chief Scout), have failed despite spending huge amounts in recent years and surely shouldn’t be entrusted with the final decisions on transfers.

While some of the signings in the last two windows have been encouraging, Solskjaer needs a knowledgable director of football by his side to help progress this Manchester United rebuild.

 

More Stories Ed Woodward OIe Gunnar Solskjaer