Sir Jim Ratcliffe will reportedly seek guidance from legendary ex-Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson when it comes to the British billionaire's overhaul of the football department at the club.
Before the end of the international break, it is expected to be announced that Ratcliffe will become a minority shareholder of the Red Devils, with the 71-year-old said to have agreed to pay around £1.3m to purchase 25% of the club.
Ratcliffe is expected to take over the football department, and the owner and founder of the INEOS Group allegedly has plans to make wholesale changes.
On Wednesday, it was announced that the club's CEO Richard Arnold would be departing, while the jobs of football director John Murtough and director of football operations David Harrison have also been called into question.
Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman is being linked with a move to Old Trafford, and according to The Telegraph, his hopes of landing a job would be boosted if Ratcliffe seeks advice from Ferguson.
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The report brands Freedman a 'a long-term ally' of Ferguson, but Ratcliffe is also said to have a number of other potential people in mind for the sporting director role.
Atalanta BC's Lee Congerton and Atletico Madrid's Andrea Berta are both allegedly being considered, in addition to Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara, who both left AC Milan over the summer.
Freedman's work at Palace has allegedly put himself in contention for the role, but Ratcliffe will carefully weigh up all options before making a final decision.
Jean-Claude Blanc is believed to be the favourite to become the club's new CEO, with the Frenchman previously holding the role at Juventus, while he has also worked for Paris Saint-Germain.
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Blanc is currently in a high-profile role at INEOS Sport, but he is seemingly regarded as the number one choice to become Arnold's permanent replacement.
Despite the planned changes on the football side of the business, it is understood that Erik ten Hag's job as head coach of the club is secure.
There has been criticism of the Dutchman this term due to the team's struggles, but he has led the Red Devils to four wins from their last five games in the Premier League.
Last weekend's 1-0 success over Luton Town saw the 20-time English champions rise into sixth position in the table, only five points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
Ten Hag's side face a huge task to advance to the knockout round of the Champions League, though, as they are currently bottom of Group A, picking up just three points from their four games in the section.
Matt Law
