Sir Jim Ratcliffe will reportedly seek advice from legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson as he prepares to take control of football operations at Old Trafford.
The INEOS billionaire is closing in on a £1.3billion deal to take a 25 per cent stake in United from the Glazer family.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Ratcliffe will ask Ferguson, 81, for advice and guidance as he plots am extensive overhaul of the football side.
This could boost Dougie Freedman's chances becoming United's new sporting director amid stiff competition.
The Scot, who currently fulfils a similar role at Crystal Palace, is a long-standing friend and ally of compatriot Ferguson. Freedman was formerly a neighbour of Ferguson in Cheshire before he took up his post at Palace in 2017.
Freedman spent time with Ferguson in his office at Old Trafford in 2011 when he was Palace manager.
The 49-year-old's eye for a promising talent and diligent scouting could prove attractive to United with Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi and Michael Olise among successful Selhurst Park arrivals in recent years.
The Telegraph report that other sporting director candidates include Atalanta's Lee Congerton, Atletico Madrid's Andrea Barta and AC Milan duo Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara.
A Ratcliffe appointment in this department would make the job of existing director of football John Murtough vulnerable.
Meanwhile, Jean-Claude Blanc, a leading figure at Ratcliffe's INEOS Sport, is a top contender to replace Richard Arnold as chief executive.
ManjitPaul
410
The most important manchester need is to get the right people in management which will set the tone for development or else more pain incoming
Samsonkanayochukwu1
384
Sir Alex Ferguson what is your problem are you the owner of Manchester United