Former Manchester United captain Paul Ince is calling on the club to appoint a Director of Football.
The Old Trafford club have been trying to appoint someone to oversee their football operations for some time, with Edwin van der Sar and Andrea Berta just two names mentioned in relation to the role.
At the moment, United's executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward, is the man charged with overseeing football matters off the pitch, but having sacked and appointed multiple managers during his tenure, many believe now is the time for someone else to takeover with Woodward taking a step back.
And one of those people is Ince, who, writing in his latest Paddy Power column, has questioned the direction the club are going in and outlined why a new appointment is needed.
He wrote: "I’m more concerned about the Director of Football situation, and the way Ed Woodward is building the club.
"It’s not about me, Rio, or Gary Neville, pundits who sit on the couch analysing football on TV. That’s not about knowing the game.
"What United need is someone who knows where to find Manchester United players, where the hidden gems are, and knows how to get them.
"Because, currently, United are being held to ransom. Harry Maguire is a terrific player, but £80million? They’re being forced to pay over the odds to get top players.
"What they should be doing is identifying these talents earlier, doing proper research, and getting them for a lot cheaper.
"That’s not down to one person to do, it’s about the Director of Football and their team – United probably need to hire four or five people who can go out and start building blocks.
"It might take a year or two, but at least they’d be moving forwards.
"They also need to look at Ed Woodward, what his position is, and what he’s doing to get the club going in the right direction."
* Paul Ince was talking exclusively to Paddy Power. For more from Paddy Power’s columnists, visit: news.paddypower.com
