Manchester United have another new hire incoming to continue the Ineos revolution.
Not content with clinching the long awaited deal to hire Dan Ashworth, Manchester United are looking at another key hire.
The Athletic report Manchester United are set to hire recruitment chief Christopher Vivell on a short-term basis during the summer window, adding in extra expertise.
Vivell has experience at Chelsea, Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig, where he has earned a big reputation as a top talent spotter and deal-closer.
Christopher Vivell involved in Erling Haaland deal
One of Christopher Vivell’s biggest signings was the coup to sign Erling Haaland from Norwegian side Molde.
Red Bull Salzburg acted swiftly to beat many clubs to his signature. Manchester United were caught sleeping, despite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, his Molde manager at the time, recommending him to the Red Devils.
This encapsulates the backward thinking at Manchester United with recruitment which Ineos are trying to fix.
German outlet Sport1 branded Vivell ‘the Haaland discoverer’, paying tribute to his role in bringing the striker to Austria.
Vivell told the channel how Red Bull Salzburg managed to get the deal done.
He explained: “The big clubs wanted him too. But they wanted to do a loan program, which neither his father nor Erling wanted. That’s why we managed to bring him to us.”
Manchester United need expertise
This transfer window is a high-pressure one for Manchester United, and Ineos have not had ideal preparation.
While Dan Ashworth is now in place, alongside Jason Wilcox, ideally they would have spent the past few months at Old Trafford, laying down the groundwork for the summer.
This has not been possible, so having an extra layer of expertise, with added contacts and know-how, even to use as a sounding board, is very smart.
Ineos are already learning that plans are not easy to execute for Manchester United. The club hoped to strike a cheap deal for Jarrad Branthwaite, but met resistance. It has meant United have had to pivot, and this is when mistakes can be made.
Branthwaite may not be the only target United miss out on, but the goal is the same, to leave the first team squad in better shape than prior to the window. Vivell can play a part in that, especially if he manages to discover the new Haaland.