Sir Jim Ratcliffe meets super agent Jorge Mendes in desperate Man Utd plan

Manchester United are tapping into the contacts book of super agent Jorge Mendes as they look to transform their much-criticised recruitment.

New co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has met Mendes, who represents a host of top players including Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, Darwin Nunez and Pedro Neto in addition to former United boss Jose Mourinho, as he continues to overhaul the Old Trafford scouting network.

Dan Ashworth is leaving Newcastle United to become Sporting Director while Southampton’s Jason Wilcox has been installed as Technical Director. Ratcliffe intends on being hands on when it comes to signing new players after being dismayed at what he insists has been a flawed and expensive recruitment policy.

He has quickly recognised that Mendes is a huge mover and shaker in the transfer world and wants to be able to utilise the Portuguese’s extensive knowledge. Wolves cemented their place in the Premier League by bringing in a number of Mendes players while Nottingham Forest have also leaned heavily on him.

Now United want to follow suit while Benfica midfielder Joao Neves – a Mendes player – is on the Old Trafford wish list in what will be a busy summer for Ashworth and company. The 19-year-old, already a Portugal international, is seen as fitting the Ratcliffe template, a young improving player hungry to make an impact.

United have also been linked with another Mendes client, AC Milan forward Rafael Leao, but with an asking price of around £100million his arrival is less likely than that of Neves.

Speaking earlier this month, Ratcliffe suggested his ambition wasn't simply to sign the biggest players. "It's not where our focus is," he said.

"The solution isn't spending a lot of money on a couple of great players. They've done that over the last 10 years.

"The first thing we need to do is get the right people in the right boxes who are managing and organising the club and make sure we get recruitment right. It's such a vital part of running a football club today, finding new players."