Manchester United are paying Man City the ultimate compliment with Jason Wilcox chase

If you can't beat them, appoint all their staff. Hot on the heels of the audacious appointment of Manchester City Chief Operating Officer Omar Berrada as Chief Executive, Manchester United are interested in appointing the Blues' highly-rated former academy director.

Jason Wilcox is being lined up for a senior role in United's recruitment department, although no approach has been made, while Newcastle's Dan Ashworth wanted as new Sporting Director. Berrada, Ashworth and Wilcox would represent a strong team with proven track records, and it would be a hierarchy fitting of an elite club.

It's strange to be talking about United's (potential) off-pitch operations in such competent terms given the calamitous decision-making since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, but INEOS don't appear to be waiting around having purchased 25 per cent of the club over Christmas.

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As part of the deal, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, INEOS and Sir Dave Brailsford will take control of sporting matters, and their initial moves are promising from a Red perspective - albeit with a very sky-blue feel to the rebuild.

By focussing on key organisational appointments, Ratcliffe is getting his new house in order before making any significant changes to his squad. It's the sign of a plan and purpose that United have lacked in recent years, leading to chants such as 'Old Trafford is falling down'.

To improve the situation, United haven't looked too far from Old Trafford. The signing of Berrada from City was undoubtedly a coup, and Wilcox is another name very closely