Manchester United are now set to appoint Christopher Vivell as their new director of recruitment, according to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg.

Vivell most recently worked at Chelsea, leaving Stamford Bridge around a year ago. The 37-year-old wasn’t there long, and he’s now available once again with United looking to bring him to Old Trafford. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has stamped his authority at the club since arriving, bringing in a host of different people behind the scenes.

Dan Ashworth was recently confirmed as a new appointment, but it appears that United aren’t stopping there in terms of backroom additions.

Vivell to Man Utd Now a Done Deal

He will join as director of recruitment.

Sky Sports reporter Plettenberg has confirmed that Vivell is set to complete a move to United with immediate effect as director of recruitment. The 37-year-old will move to Old Trafford on a short-term deal and will help in terms of transfers for the Manchester club…

Vivell spent just seven months at Chelsea between December 2022 and July 2023, but he was let go as Todd Boehly made further changes behind the scenes.

The German has also spent time with RB Leipzig, meaning he has experienced working in a multi-club model, something United are now involved in with INEOS owning other sides.

Vivell has plenty of experience working in recruitment for some big clubs around Europe, and Ratcliffe is clearly doing everything he can to ensure United’s transfer strategy improves. It’s been a major problem for the Red Devils in recent years and Ratcliffe will be hoping to steer them in the right direction.

A report has claimed that a certain Manchester United target has caught Pep Guardiola’s eye.

On several occasions, both Manchester clubs have targeted the same player over the years.

While Manchester United were heralded at the time for winning the race to sign the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Alexis Sanchez, Fred and Harry Maguire, who were widely reported to be Manchester City targets — the blue side of the city had the last laugh in all such instances.

Ronaldo, Sanchez and Fred had underwhelming spells at Old Trafford while Maguire’s time at the club has largely been disastrous.

Manchester City, on the other hand tend to do great business and considering Pep Guardiola’s status at the Etihad Stadium, they would ideally like to reward him with his dream signings after having won four consecutive Premier League titles.

Why Pep Guardiola rates Manchester United target Jarrad Branthwaite

Despite the Red Devils no longer being the juggernaut of a side they once were, their standing in English football remains of arguably the biggest club in the country.

As a result, on the basis of their status alone, it seems several players still gravitate towards the opportunity of playing for one of the most prestigious clubs in world football.

Even so, if City enter the picture in United’s pursuit for a player — they have every reason to be worried, with their cross-town rivals being the gold standard in English football.

According to a report by The Sun, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is considering a move for Jarrad Branthwaite — a player Erik ten Hag would like Manchester United to sign in the summer, even if they manage to wrap up the potential acquisition of Matthijs de Ligt.

Guardiola is believed to be “impressed” with how well Branthwaite plays out from the back as well as his defensive qualities.

The report states that the 22-year-old’s current valuation is £80 million — a claim that was made in June — with Everton internally considering him as a defender who should command similar fees to the likes of Josko Gvardiol, who was signed by Manchester City for £77.6 million, the £80 million (BBC Sport) man, Harry Maguire and Wesley Fofana, who Chelsea paid £75 million (Sky Sports) for in 2022.

Manchester City do not necessarily need Jarrad Branthwaite

As excellent a centre-back as Branthwaite is, unless Manchester City intend to sell one of their defenders, one wonders why Pep Guardiola is interested in his signature.

The rationale of considering the Englishman as a potential signing would add up if the plan at the Etihad Stadium was to let go of an an injury-prone centre-back like John Stones.

With Stones, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol not linked with summer exits, the idea of adding the youngster to their roster seems unnecessary.

Especially if the Sky Blues are asked to pay a whopping £80 million to address an area of the squad that is not a priority in the slightest.