Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to take full sporting control of Manchester United as part of a deal to buy 25 percent of the club and he is keen to make a number of changes

Rio Ferdinand has been left baffled following claims Sir Jim Ratcliffe is targeting Crystal Palace's sporting director Dougie Freedman for a major role at Manchester United.

Ratcliffe's proposed purchase of a 25 percent stake in the club is expected to be ratified during the international break and would see him take control of the sporting side of the business. The roles of football director John Murtough and technical director Darren Fletcher are at risk and, according to The Star, Freedman is among the potential replacements being considered by Ratcliffe.

Paul Mitchell, who left his role as Monaco's sporting director earlier this year, and former Liverpool duo Michael Edwards and Julian Ward are also on the list. However, Freedman's work at Palace is said to have impressed Ratcliffe's right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford who is pushing for him to be involved.

However, United legend Ferdinand has questioned Freedman's credentials. Speaking on his Vibe with Five podcast, Ferdinand said: "His name has come out of left field. No disrespect, but I don't remember anyone saying 'wow, look at what Palace are doing'. Paul Mitchell, I get it, he has a history of doing good things and the same with Michael Edwards, Julian Ward at Liverpool.

"They don't have a reputation that makes you understand why United would go for him. Dan Ashworth has been in these roles before but John Murtough has worked in positions that aren't based around football. He was helping out behind-the-scenes but not in football things."

Ferdinand also believes Ratcliffe taking full sporting control is a "big risk" but urged him shake things up, starting with implementing a new identity at Old Trafford. He added: "Jim Ratcliffe is paying 25 percent and he is getting full reins of the football side. He is controlling the ins and outs and all recruitment.

Crystal Palace's sporting director Dougie Freedman has been linked with a role at United ( Image:

PA) "It is a big risk. You can't say he has been hugely successful before. I hope he shakes it up and lays out his template. Rangnick and Mourinho said it and many different sporting directors have spoke about the playing style.

"It is imperative you get that identified and implemented immediately for everything else to work, just like Manchester City did before Pep even came in. Recruitment and everything else feeds off the playing style, so does the marketing.

"Manchester United's marketing was always about last-minute goals, being aggressive. That runs through the lifeblood of the football club and United don't have that element in place."

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