Sir Jim Ratcliffe putting his plan together! Man Utd make offer for Jason Wilcox over technical director role - with Southampton ‘annoyed’ by Red Devils’ approach

On Monday evening, multiple reports emerged that United had begun their 'official approach' for Wilcox, who has been Southampton's director football since last summer after previously serving as Manchester City's academy director. The Red Devils are believed to have offered a year's salary in compensation, with the Saints expected to reject this opening proposal and hold out for more.

Sky Sports reported that Southampton are "annoyed at the manner and timing" of the approach given the potential for it to unsettle Wilcox at a time when the club is targeting promotion, although United believe they have been respectful.

If no compensation figure can be agreed, Wilcox could resign to force the issue, but his notice period spent on gardening leave would be as much as 12 months. Fabrizio Romano has claimed his resignation has already been given, but that remains unsubstantiated by other sources at this time and perhaps overlooks the greater complexity of the issue.

The impact of Sir Jim Ratcliffe is already being keenly felt behind the scenes at Old Trafford after the new co-owner took over the running of the club's football operations. United secured the appointment of Omar Berrada as chief executive from the rival City Football Group back in January before the partial takeover was even formally ratified. INEOS director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford has been tasked with conducting a thorough audit of the sporting department and Dan Ashworth has been suitably convinced by the prospect of becoming sporting director that he asked to leave Newcastle, before being placed on gardening leave.

Wilcox was part of the Blackburn Rovers team that beat Manchester United to the Premier League title in 1994-95. After the rest of his playing career, where he took in spells at Leeds, Leicester and Blackpool, he began working at Manchester City as an academy coach in 2012, promoted to academy director in 2017. The likes of Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Rico Lewis all passed through to the first-team under his watch.

While it is clear that big changes are coming off the pitch ahad of next season, United need to make sure that the new era starts with the best possible platform by performing right now.

A top four Premier League finish to qualify for the Champions League is still not out of the question with a string of good results in the run-in. Fourth place Aston Villa are 11 points ahead of Erik ten Hag's team but have played a game more. However, United's remaining fixture list is mixed, with favourable games against Bournemouth, Sheffield United, Burnley and Crystal Palace among tougher clashes with Liverpool, Arsenal, Brighton and Newcastle. Next up is Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night.