Manchester United name John Murtough as Football Director and Darren Fletcher as Technical Director

Woodward has previously fielded calls from agents, directors of football and other outside sources on transfer-related matters, with United facing criticism previously that the channels of communication were not clearly defined over recruitment, but Murtough will now take responsibility for that.
United have also been criticised for lacking an experienced football figure in the transfer negotiation process but that is a role Fletcher, who won five Premier League titles and the Champions League during his 20 years as a player at the club, will now help to fill.
Patrice Evra, the former United defender, accused United of sending “lawyers to talk to players” in a stinging assault last September on the club’s approach to recruitment and, specifically, Matt Judge.

United are understood to have accepted they needed someone with whom would-be recruits could better relate during the negotiation process and Fletcher, amid other wider responsibilities, will become that conduit.
Judge, who previously worked under the title of head of corporate development, now becomes director of football negotiations and will retain responsibility for transfer and contract negotiations, albeit now assisted in that process by Fletcher.
As someone who was also unsure about the Matt Judge news these snippets have calmed me somewhat, Fletcher's basically being sent into negotiations with Judge to babysit him.
 
This forum man. Even when we get what we want we aren't happy.

The guys been around since 2014 and we want "someone better" aka, someone we've heard of.

Lord give me strength
Because we needed someone who is proven on that position and knows everything about it. Yes, i don't like it. My opinion (in general, not just about United and football) is that for biggest jobs experience is crucial. Learning "with time" can be very costly.

Just a reminder; Ed was very good commercial management director. And then he was promoted to CEO.
 
And? Bayern is full of ex players. They proved their worth over time and internally showed why they got the job. It's the right thing to do to go internal.

I feel like some people just wanted to see a name like Franco Baldini or something, and getting an English name is "boring". None of us know what the actual day to day operations of how everything is handled, no point in getting annoyed in the slightest over who the appointment is as we also have no clue on who is actually good or what effect these others have had in other clubs. A clubs success can be down to a variety of factors. The luck of stumbling on a coach like Pep for Barca combined with getting a golden generation of players come through led to Barca being arguably the best side of all time 2009-2012. A mixture of Sir Alex plus our class of 92 led to our dominance for the next 20 years, not necessarily the structure behind him. Liverpool struck gold with Klopp, is it the structure behind him getting it all right or would it be another failure if it was any other manager? We'll see with time what impact these appointments make. None of us know how suited they actually are for the positions nor what stability and improvements they'll provide. Will take years to actually see the impact.
But these two are already part of a pre-existing structure people deem to be underperforming depending on who you ask. We are pinning our hopes on the chance that what the club needed to turn around its fortunes already existed at the club and we just hadn't realised till now. The skepticism isn't quite the irrational hope for an exotic name you misrepresent it as
 
But these two are already part of a pre-existing structure people deem to be underperforming depending on who you ask. We are pinning our hopes on the chance that what the club needed to turn around its fortunes already existed at the club and we just hadn't realised till now. The skepticism isn't quite the irrational hope for an exotic name you misrepresent it as
We’re changing that structure though. That’s what these appointments are doing.
 
So just changed the title on their name cards. We could as well have the Canteen Director, Kits Director, Bus Director etc.
 
For some reason that's the opposite for me. I like that Fletcher is there and feel like he will bring something to the table. It's clear that they see something in him, as he didn't last long in the coaching role, but saw something bigger in him. Apparent maybe, shouldn't say clear.

I'm less concerned with the DOF appointment because I can see evidence of Murtough's work in the club so far. Fletcher has been a coach for about 5 minutes and is now given a big job in the club. Who knows, maybe he's got a great footballing brain and that's why Ferguson liked him so much.
 
Lackluster in terms of spending in one thing. Lackluster in terms of approach and chasing shadows all summer though is completely unforgivable. If you can't afford a certain player, make it clear and swiftly move onto other targets.

Always got the feeling we are scared to admit as such, which is why some sagas go all summer.
 
Because we needed someone who is proven on that position and knows everything about it. Yes, i don't like it. My opinion (in general, not just about United and football) is that for biggest jobs experience is crucial. Learning "with time" can be very costly.

Just a reminder; Ed was very good commercial management director. And then he was promoted to CEO.
Who says we need someone proven? Who says its even a complicated job?
 
Not going to lie - just seems like we’ve given them new titles without actually changing anything. But will give it time.
 
We are not Ajax.

Ajax's focus is the development of their youth with a view to selling, not competing in a global transfer market.

Or maybe that is where Woodward/Glazer's are pushing us now - a lot of talk about 'youth' in Murtough's quotes.

I was more focusing on the 'experience' aspect of the point rather than anything to do with either clubs history or culture.
 
If people actually read what Woodward said about the appointments they will clearly see the startegy. Its very much an emphasis on rearing our own. Murtough's experience is in development, Fletcher as well as being the 'football man' is identified as the guy overall responsible for academy to fist team. Butt's role is more as a hands on coach implementing Fletcher's strategy and technical plan.
Given the new economics of the post-covid world this makes great sense. United do not need a 'name' who will somehow know about world stars and attract them to the club. United know the world stars and are always one of the clubs contacted by agents. Those deals will occur far less frequently moving forwards. Its far far more important to recognise young talent and successfully bring them through to fruition now as never before.
Both these men are intelligent operators and should work well with Ole. It makes good sense.
 
Not recruitment that's Murtough's role

Darren will work closely with John to add technical input and direction into all football and performance areas. He will focus on a co-ordinated and long-term approach to player and squad development, helping maintain the integral link between the Academy and the first team, aligned with Manchester United’s values and culture.

That sounds like Nick Butt's role
 
Is Fletcher really capable? Would love to understand what his inputs have been so far.
 
Is Fletcher really capable? Would love to understand what his inputs have been so far.
He's a very smart man, knows football as good as anybody.

I suspect he'll do a great job.
 
Cheap option then
Timing is interesting though.

I would say that it signals a big summer investment to reinforce and give credibility to the new roles.

So may not ultimately be cheap In that sense.
 
If people actually read what Woodward said about the appointments they will clearly see the startegy. Its very much an emphasis on rearing our own. Murtough's experience is in development, Fletcher as well as being the 'football man' is identified as the guy overall responsible for academy to fist team. Butt's role is more as a hands on coach implementing Fletcher's strategy and technical plan.
Given the new economics of the post-covid world this makes great sense. United do not need a 'name' who will somehow know about world stars and attract them to the club. United know the world stars and are always one of the clubs contacted by agents. Those deals will occur far less frequently moving forwards. Its far far more important to recognise young talent and successfully bring them through to fruition now as never before.
Both these men are intelligent operators and should work well with Ole. It makes good sense.

Chimes with this bit from the MEN:

The feeling among the club's hierarchy was the external candidates were synonymous solely with recruitment, whereas Murtough had overseen the overhaul of the United academy and built the women's team from scratch.

United sources concede bigger names were linked with the football director role but were uncomfortable with the prospect of appointing them on the basis of their recruitment record. Some candidates ironically discouraged United from moving for them the more they championed their hit-rate of signings.

Murtough also presided over the recruitment reboot two years ago with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his work on the three fronts has seen Murtough gain a reputation as a 'fixer' at United. Murtough's ability to solve problems made him a leading candidate but United sources maintain they seriously considered options from outside the club.

Certainly being presented as if they were looking for a more holisitic appointment than a recruitment-focused one.
 
Can’t believe after all these years we’ve been crying out for a DOF but when we get one there’s people found something to moan about. Give the guy a chance!
 
Because we needed someone who is proven on that position and knows everything about it. Yes, i don't like it. My opinion (in general, not just about United and football) is that for biggest jobs experience is crucial. Learning "with time" can be very costly.

Just a reminder; Ed was very good commercial management director. And then he was promoted to CEO.
Michael Edwards wasn't proven, he was a data analyst before he joined Liverpool, now he's probably the best DoF in the business, similar to Marina Granovskaia at Chelsea who's also very highly regarded. Marc Overmars was a youth coach before becoming DoF at football. Monchi was considered one of the best around at Sevilla but moved and was an absolute trainwreck at Roma, he returned to Sevilla to use his own previous established infrastructure.

There's definitely value to internal appointments, there's no DoF transfer market where you just dip in and pluck the best one, that's why DoF's barely ever move. They're the ones who set up the infrastructure at the clubs they're at, much like Murtough has been doing regarding our scouting system. The articles suggest he's basically been acting as our DoF for the last 2 seasons. Realistically we're going to have no idea how good he is until we see a few transfer windows, we've made some excellent signings at academy level over the last few years so there's at least some promise to our scouting system.
 
Just because he's above them doesn't mean he will be double checking their work and making sure he signs off on it before it's done.

It's probably more like "hi Ed, we need 5m to complete a wonderkid signing, give old Joel a ring for us will you?"

Woodward has made it clear he has no interest in the football side of things. so he'll let them get on with it. It's a good thing.

I hope you’re right, I’m a bit more cynical.
 
Can’t believe after all these years we’ve been crying out for a DOF but when we get one there’s people found something to moan about. Give the guy a chance!
We've been giving the guy 7 yrs we just didn't know it!
 
Difficult to know how capable Fletcher is but the lack of experience is the obvious issue. Open minded about it though.

Sounds like Murtaugh is getting more than just a title change, as some suggest. This should mean he runs the department that deals with transfers. Obviously he could still just be a puppet but simply having proper channels to go through will surely help, and having someone who’s sole job is to oversee improving the department should too.
 
I love hearing Fletcher talk about football. He has so much knowledge.

YouTube 'Darren Fletcher analysis" and you should see what i mean. He's the kobe beef and the likes of Micah Richards & Souness are the 99p cheeseburger
 
No disrespect to John Murtough but what I've just read sounds like it's a promotion to shut the media up. Just sounds like a yes man to me, how on earth can you go from looking after the players and women's team to director of football!!!!

Disgusted if I'm honest.

So where do you think DoF must be from?
 
I don't have a very strong opinion on this as I don't know enough about Murtough or how exactly it'll all work.

But I've read the job descriptions and that sounds OK. And I'm pleased the role has been created, and I like the idea of Fletcher being a link between it all. How this particular couple will adjust to the roles, and work together, remains to be seen - but, overall, it seems positive news and another step in the right direction.
 
Cheap option then
What exactly is wrong with this approach? United have never had such a position in their history - it seems sensible to me to approach it this way, especially in the current climate.

Some fans are simply never happy.
 
Couldn't agree more. Absolutely nonsensical 'appointments' and the club continues its downward spiral under Woodward and the Glazers.

There will be no change, it just solidifies continuation of this hopeless direction we're going in.

 
So the guy I kept mentioning when people claim that Woodward doesn't have football people around him, finally get the position. That's a surprise.