Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s first task as Manchester United manager will be to find a new sporting director.

According to MEN Sport, incumbent John Murtough impressed INEOS fact-finding trips to Carrington. They are still convinced that a new sporting director is required to steer United in the correct direction.

Murtough is expected to stay on at United in an administrative capacity until a replacement is found. Ratcliffe’s major target, according to the Manchester Evening News, is Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth, who has overseen a rise at St James’ Park and his previous club Brighton.

Meanwhile, The Telegraph says that a slew of potential names are being considered. We examined the candidates’ transfer success stories.

Dan Ashworth

Although Newcastle’s sporting director has virtually unlimited budget, he has chosen his goals wisely. Tino Livramento has been a revelation as the Magpies continue to successfully recruit. Anthony Gordon was a wise investment. Ashcroft had a remarkable record at Brighton, unearthing talented players like Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, and Kaoru Mitoma from the club’s depths before promoting them to the first squad.

Julian Ward

Ward was the technical director in Liverpool’s boardroom until May of this year, when he was promoted to sports director in his final year at Anfield. While the Reds’ recent transfer activity has not been spectacular, some significant purchases have occurred. During Ward’s tenure, Diogo Jota stood out.

Dougie Freedman

Crystal Palace’s sporting director has had a productive time at Selhurst Park. Marc Guehi from Chelsea was one of his most recent prominent signings, and he has rapidly established himself as a regular and has been linked with a move to Manchester United. Freedman has also made great use of the loan market, bringing in players such as Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Paul Mitchell

Mitchell is a United fan favorite who has previously worked for Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur. Bringing Heung Min-Son, Dele Alli, and Kieran Trippier to Tottenham demonstrated his knowledge and laid the groundwork for the club’s success under Mauricio Pochettino.

Lee Congerton

The Welshman has been a member of Atalanta’s recruitment team since 2022, but he was previously Leicester City’s head scout. The Foxes signed Wesley Fofana, Youri Tielemans, and James Maddison during this period.

Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara

Former AC Milan teammates Maldini and Massara were astute transfer market operators in Italy. Their purchases reflected a blend of youth and experience. Olivier Giroud was a cheap and savvy signing from Chelsea, while Fikayo Tomori has grown in stature. Former Lille player Rafael Leao was possibly their most significant addition, quickly becoming one of Europe’s most sought-after players.

Andrea Berta

The long-serving sporting director of Atletico Madrid has helped the team restore popularity in Spain. Rodri, Thomas Lemar, and Rodrigo de Paul are among his notable additions.