Sir Dave Brailsford is at the heart of executing Manchester United’s summer transfer plans amid the delayed arrival of two key executives.
Brailsford – who has a successful history in cycling – has been thrust to the forefront of the club’s recruitment strategy; engaging in talks with external parties, including club representatives and agents, with a view to attracting the key targets identified by United ahead of next season.
The club are still without incoming chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director-in-waiting Dan Ashworth, a delay that has seen Brailsford’s involvement heightened ahead of the summer window.
The highly-respected 60-year-old has little experience in negotiating big money football transfer transactions, although he has played a key role at Ligue 1 club Nice in his role as INEOS director of of sport.
But with Berrada and Ashworth still to officially join, Mail Sport has learned that Brailsford is engaged in crucial discussions, face-to-face and telephone, with various parties in preparation for what will be the first transfer window under INEOS control.
Sir Dave Brailsford is the man tasked with executing Manchester United’s summer window plans
The club are still without incoming chief executive Omar Berrada (left) and sporting director-in-waiting Dan Ashworth (right)
Brailsford has been thrust to the forefront of the club’s recruitment strategy this summer
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Sources insists Brailsford’s involvement is as a representative of the club’s ownership and board, with his particular role in recruitment discussions purely aimed at selling INEOS long-term vision for the club rather than any involvement in thrashing out the financial side of deals.
Moving forward, sources insist Brailsford will not take such an active role in United’s transfer dealings as he moves into a wider role overseeing sporting performance.
But, for the time being, Brailsford is centre of shaping the club’s transfer strategy as they wait on Berrarda, who will join in July, and the expected appointment of Ashworth, who remains in limbo as Newcastle and United negotiate his exit from St James’ Park.
Jason Wilcox was appointed United’s technical director last month and, along with Ashworth, will fully lead United’s transfer vision in future windows.
Among the positions United are viewing as a priority this summer is centre-back.
