Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS receive Man United setback with surprise rejection

According to a new report, Paul Mitchell, one of Manchester United’s top targets for the Head of Recruitment role at the club, has told INEOS he does not see himself in the role.

Mitchell is one of a few names that have been reported heavily by media outlets as being amongst United’s top targets for the role, with the club desperate to bring back a proper structure to Old Trafford.

Speaking on FIVE, The Athletic’s David Ornstein remarked how Paul Mitchell is unlikely to join the club.

“My understanding is that this is a position that he [Paul Mitchell] wasn’t particularly seeing himself in the frame for from the beginning, from a long time ago,” stated Ornstein. “And he made that clear to the INEOS guys, and they were all on the same page.

“They all know each other, INEOS [are] largely based in the south of France, Paul Mitchell was the Sporting Director of Monaco. 

“This would have been something which would have been broached a long time ago. I can only go on my information and speaking to people around the industry, it was never something Paul Mitchell was looking to pursue and INEOS were aware of that.

“There’s huge respect for each other. I think it was made clear around his departure from Monaco that he would be looking to spend more time with his family and consider his next step.

“He’ll review various opportunities and that won’t be at Manchester United.”

Speaking on the podcast, Ornstein added that, as previously reported, Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth, former Liverpool director Julian Ward, and Crystal Palace’s Dougie Freedman are all thought of very highly by the higher-ups at Manchester United.

However, despite the most popular names being circulated, Ornstein asserted that there will certainly be additional names that Manchester United are looking at that the public will be currently unaware of, like when they snatched Omar Berrada from Manchester City.

United’s recruitment has long since been an issue at the side, with huge money purchases such as Antony, Anthony Martial, and Jadon Sancho, failing to perform as expected.