Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has already explained how Dougie Freedman's work behind the scenes will help Erik ten Hag if he arrives at Manchester United.
The Daily Mail understands Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is expected to arrive at United as a minority stakeholder during the international break, is weighing up a move to appoint Freedman as sporting director. It is understood Ratcliffe's right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford is also a fan of the Palace man who was previously the manager of Nottingham Forest.
Freedman likes to keep a low profile but during his reign has managed to bring the likes of Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze to Selhurst Park. Hodgson has enjoyed two stints at Palace and in his first spell at the club spoke highly of the 49-year-old's efforts to ease burdens on him.
He told the Croydon Advertiser in 2017: "He's doing an outstanding job. He does a lot of work with Steve [Parish, Palace owner] in other areas of the club which at the moment don't affect or interest me.
"Both him and Steve Parish have made it perfectly clear that they want to free up as much work as possible around the club - in the commercial department etc. - so I feel 100 per cent free to concentrate all my efforts on the football field and on the team. Of course, that includes recruitment and that's where Doug and I are working most closely at the moment.
"We're working on potential profiles but we haven't really got as far as discussing who may fit those profiles yet. But we've given our scouting people some profiles and said come up with some names. We are adding some names we may know of from our experiences."
One of Hodgson's comments which will be music to the ears of Ten Hag is how Freedman wants his manager to focus solely on the football project. At present, it seems as though the Dutchman is having to fight fires both on and off the pitch so if the Scot can help take some of that responsibility it will be a positive.
Freedman is also praised for creating a profile and identity for the type of signing Palace need to make. One of the criticisms of United is how there has not been a clear plan. If the 49-year-old gets the sporting director job, this should be a concern of the past.
Prices start from PS55