Matt Judge is Man Utd's de facto chief negotiator and Woodward's right-hand man

As the process of Manchester United appointing a new technical director continues, it is business as usual at Old Trafford.

Transfer targets have been identified, negotiations initiated and offers made as United embark on a major rebuild this summer.

The man leading the project is, of course, Ed Woodward, the club's executive vice-chairman who has been calling the shots on a day-to-day basis since David Gill left United along with Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, and will continue to do so.

Woodward has become an increasingly high-profile character in the six years since, as you would expect from the figurehead of one of the world's biggest football clubs who has overseen a raft of big-name signings.

On the other hand, very little is known about the right-hand man who has advised Woodward on those deals and been responsible for negotiating the majority of them since 2016.

Search for Matt Judge on the internet and just one – unconfirmed – photograph exists of a tall, balding man walking behind Woodward in club suit and tie. There is no picture on his LinkedIn page.

The bio reads simply: 'Managing Manchester United's equity and debt capital structure – three equity offerings incl the IPO, totalling over $450m; and three debt refinancings ($1bn+) – debt private placement, term-loan and RCF. Also player negotiations (transfers and playing contracts).'

It is the final sentence that makes Judge such a key figure at United these days. A man with a Masters degree in economics from Bristol University – where Woodward also studied – and 13 years of experience in investment banking, his qualifications to be United's head of corporate development speak for themselves.

But it is not a title you would necessarily associate with the wheeling and dealing usually left to a director of football, and that is what makes Judge such an intriguing character.

He joined United in 2012 but has been trusted by Woodward to negotiate transfer deals and contracts since 2016, the summer that Paul Pogba returned to Old Trafford in a then world-record £89million deal.

Romelu Lukaku followed for £75m and then Alexis Sanchez, who became the highest-paid player in Premier League history on a total of £500,000 a week.

Woodward and Judge preside over a pyramid that oversees a global network of 52 scouts whose information is channelled through scouting chiefs Marcel Bout and Mick Court, as well as the management team now led by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, before United identify their targets.

Despite the broad nature of his job description, Judge is United's de facto chief negotiator. He will lead the way on transfer deals this summer, as he did when Daniel James was signed from Swansea.

It was Judge who surprised the player's camp with a surprisingly low opening pay offer and eventually signed off on the £15m deal.

He is the point man in United's efforts to sign Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace after having an opening offer of £40m rejected, and Harry Maguire from Leicester City. If agents call United to offer their client's services, the inquiry is directed to Judge.

Contract renewals are also down to him, from the multi-million terms being offered to David de Gea to academy prospects signing their first professional terms.

When Mike Phelan was invited to discuss the offer of a full-time contract after returning to the club as No 2 to Solskjaer in a caretaker capacity in December, the meetings were held with Judge at Carrington – although, like Woodward, he spends the majority of his time at the club's corporate headquarters in Mayfair.

Phelan was also offered the role of technical director but turned it down so he could remain in the dugout.

Although Rio Ferdinand and Darren Fletcher are among the other candidates who have been approached, it now seems unlikely that an appointment will be made this summer. Even when it is, the dynamic will not change dramatically.

Woodward and Judge will continue in tandem. One the figurehead of Manchester United, the other a key man conspicuous by his low profile.