Man Utd backroom appointments share view on two summer transfer targets

Manchester United’s John Murtough and Darren Fletcher have two transfer targets they reportedly both agree on, as their power at Old Trafford begins to transpire.

The pair were both internally promoted earlier this month with Murtough moving to football director and Fletcher the new technical director. It was an announcement that has caused some friction at Carrington with Nicky Butt on Wednesday stepping down from his role as head of first-team development. The Athletic report the 46-year-old felt he did not get enough of a chance to put his name forward for the two roles. The Athletic adds that Butt and Murtough were like ‘chalk and cheese’. As such, their differing perspectives eventually led to a boiling over of tensions.

Privately Ed Woodward has suggested that Murtough’s new role will allow him to take a big step back on recruitment, according to The Telegraph.

However, the source say it’s debatable whether Murtough and Fletcher will be “properly empowered to help bring about significant improvements in the quality of United’s recruitment operation”.

While, Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have been successful recent recruits, going further back United have not been blessed with their signings.

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The micro-management by the Glazers is “a significant factor behind the wheels turning so slowly at Old Trafford”. Woodward is claimed to simply “implement what the Glazers want – on and off the field”.

The Express claim Murtough and Fletcher are both in agreement on Erling Haaland though. The pair are adamant the Borussia Dortmund star would be a huge hit, who wouldn’t?

They also suggest the pair are “big admirers of Declan Rice”. Like Haaland though, a deal for the West Ham star will be expensive and far from straight forward.

Solskjaer has said he will always have the final say on transfers, despite Murtough and Fletcher’s new roles.

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Solskjaer ‘has the last say’

“I think the managers at Manchester United have always had the last say (on transfers). The club would never buy a player that the manager of Man United didn’t want,” said the Norwegian.

“We do have a process. We’ve got the scouting and then the analysis, but it is always about the manager’s remit.

“All the players who have come in have been identified by every one of us.”

Solskjaer also said he was consulted about their appointments.

“I was consulted. It wasn’t my decision, but I was very supportive of it,” said Solskjaer

“I have worked very well with John. He is very easy to communicate with. He knows what I want because we speak freely.

“With Darren coming in as well that gives us another angle. But John’s knowledge has been really good for me to rely on.”

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