Manchester United’s perfect sporting director just became available - and it’s not Dan Ashworth

Manchester United have copped a real coup in pinching Omar Berrada from Manchester City to fill the vacant CEO spot.

This is technically a Glazers appointment but it has the fingerprints of INEOS all over it. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has wasted no time in getting down to work, even though his £1.3billion minority investment is yet to be ratified by the Premier League.

Chats with fans and journalists have already gone a long way to make a good first impression as right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford conducts an audit of the club. John Murtough’s position as director of football is in the balance with Ratcliffe eyeing a shake-up of the hierarchy.

READ MORE: Man City 'insiders' can't believe United have appointed Omar Berrada

READ MORE: Berrada appointment shows what is to come for United under Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Dan Ashworth has been outlined as a target for INEOS given his fantastic reputation for his work at the FA, Brighton & Hove Albion and now Newcastle. He invited former British Cycling chief Brailsford to speak to the Toon squad in 2022, so the pair already have an existing relationship.

However, there is ambiguity over whether United would be able to pull off what would be a second steal from a Premier League rival. While his availability is unclear, another potential candidate is now looking for his next adventure.

Bayern Munich director Marco Neppe will this week leave the Bavarians after a decade-long stay littered with success stories. The 37-year-old was key in scouting the likes of Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala, to name a couple.

More recently Neppe had his hand in bringing Harry Kane to the Allianz Arena as well as Kim Min-Jae, both of who were linked with United in the summer. Matthijs De Ligt is another