Manchester United may miss out on technical director target Rio Ferdinand as the former defender has reservations over relocating his family.
Mirror Football revealed that talks have been held between United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and Ferdinand over the former defender taking up the newly-created role this summer.
The Old Trafford giants are going through a background restructuring process, with Woodward looking to bring in a technical director having named Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as permanent manager.
United have decided for the title of technical director rather than a director of football or sporting director, with a number of individuals sounded out over recent months as the club look for the right fit.
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Woodward is understood to have spoken to ex-United defender Ferdinand as he looks to fill the role, but the exact intricacies of such conversations are unclear.
However the Manchester Evening News have reported that Ferdinand is unsure whether a move back to Manchester is the right one for his family.
Ferdinand retired from football following the tragic death of his wife Rebecca and prioritised raising their children three children; Lorenz, Tate and Tia.
The former England centre-back moved back to London after hanging up his boots and is now settled there with his fiancee Kate Wright.
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Meanwhile United intend to name their technical director before the start of next season, with the role to take in the first-team set-up and a longer-term view incorporating the academy pathways.
Mike Phelan, Sir Alex Ferguson's former right-hand man, has also been linked with the role after working as Solskjaer's assistant since December.
The 56-year-old has yet to sign a full-time deal at Old Trafford and has been working as sporting director of Central Coast Mariners, who are bottom of the A-League in Australia.
