Paper Talk: Woodward finally settles on Man Utd director of football

Ed Woodward

Manchester United have finally identified the man they want as director of football and could soon make their move, while Tottenham are being linked with a Benfica striker, according to Saturday’s transfer gossip.

 

LUIS CAMPOS TARGETED BY MAN UTD

Manchester United are ready to target Luis Campos as their director of football, according to reports.

United outlined their vision to bring in someone to oversee transfers way back in summer 2019. It’s felt United want someone to come in to help take the heat of United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

Woodward has overseen United’s transfer activity, with much of his business being heavily criticised. It’s also led Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville to tell Woodward a few home truths.

While no appointment was made, it did lead to friction at the time between Woodward and then-boss Jose Mourinho.

Since then, Woodward has continued working on United’s recruitment – but always with one eye on appointing a director of football.

Now reports from Canal +, via the Daily Express, claims Woodward has finally settled on Luis Campos.

The Portuguese has an extensive CV and is well connected in the game.

He has spent 23 years as a manager and worked as a scout for Real Madrid under Mourinho.

 

AN IMPRESSIVE CV

 

 

He later flourished as Monaco’s director of football, bringing in the likes of Radamel Falcao, Joao Moutinho, James Rodriguez, Fabinho, Anthony Martial and Bernardo Silva.

A parting of ways then saw him move to Lille and his recruitment helped the side finish second in Ligue 1. He played a big part in deals to sign Nicolas Pepe, Victor Osimhen and Gabriel Magalhaes. The trio have all since secured huge transfers away and made Lille a huge profit.

However, a parting of ways at Lille looks likely. Canal + claims he has fallen out with director Marc Ingla and United are looking to take advantage.

Woodward hopes the appointment of Campos will end a series of unsuccessful transfer chases. Their failure to land the likes of Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho has led to plenty of criticism.

Crucially, United will hope the appointment of Campos can help close the gap on Liverpool and Manchester City.

 


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TOTTENHAM LINK TO DARWIN NUNEZ REVEALED

Tottenham reportedly missed out on signing Benfica striker Darwin Nunez, it has been claimed. (Daily Express)

Emerson Palmieri looks increasingly likely to leave Chelsea in January, with Inter Milan, Roma and Napoli all keen. (Daily Express)

Ralph Hasenhuttl says Jordan Pickford deserves to miss Everton’s match at Southampton following his “absolutely disastrous tackle” on Virgil van Dijk. (Daily Mirror)

Jurgen Klopp has put rivalries to one side to praise the “incredible” work being done by Marcus Rashford to help hungry children. (Daily Mirror)

 

AND MORE GOSSIP

Zinedine Zidane’s potential exit at Real Madrid will not impact their transfer plans and they still hope to sign Kylian Mbappe next summer. (Daily Mail)

Manchester City’s team flight to London rerouted into the capital after an aircraft fault on the eve of Saturday’s clash at West Ham. (Daily Mail)

David Moyes has called on the Government to explain why fans cannot watch West Ham’s game against Manchester City in their stadium, but can watch it inside a nearby cinema. (Daily Mail)

Jurgen Klopp has described this season as the most challenging of his managerial career due to the condensed fixture schedule resulting from Covid-19. (The Guardian)