Revealed: How ignoring Sir Alex Ferguson's advice may result in Man Utd sporting director target Dougie Freedman landing Old Trafford role

Freedman has been tipped to be appointed as the club's new sporting director once Sir Jim Ratcliffe has completed a deal to take a 25% stake in Manchester United. Perhaps surprisingly, Freedman's decision to previously ignore advice from Sir Alex may help him secure a move to Old Trafford. The 49-year-old was previously advised by the United legend to take a job at Hearts as a manager, but opted to become Crystal Palace's sporting director instead, according to Mail Online. Freedman has gone on to impress with the Eagles, signing starlets such as Marc Guehi, Michael Olise, Sam Johnstone and Eberechi Eze, which has subsequently attracted interest from United.

Ratcliffe is expected to shake things up at Manchester United when he takes up his minority stake. United have already confirmed CEO Richard Arnold will leave before the end of the year, while football director John Murtough is also expected to depart. Ratcliffe is thought to have already spoken to Sir Alex to ask his advice, with Freedman a long-time friend of the Scot. Meanwhile, the former United boss has given his verdict on Ratcliffe's imminent arrival and has said he is "optimistic" about the future.

Palace have played down Freedman's potential departure. Chairman Steve Parish has said no talks have yet been held with Manchester United, while manager Roy Hodgson is hoping Freedman will stay at Selhurst Park.

“Am I surprised that he’s being linked with other clubs? Not at all," he told reporters. "People like him are hard to find. I’m pretty certain that Steve Parish and the other directors of the club won’t be at all happy if he’s stolen away from us with a club who have more resources then we have got.

“I hope, as a Crystal Palace person and a person working here, that the club are able to keep him. It’s flattering for him that he’s being recognised for his talents. To some extent, it’s flattering for the club as well that we’re producing people of that sort of stature, who clubs with the sort of stature as Manchester United are interested in."

Ratcliffe's investment is still yet to be announced by the club, but changes are expected to be made once the British billionaire's 25% stake is confirmed. The INEOS chief is expected to reshape the club's recruitment process and appoint multiple sporting directors in a bid to enhance the transfer process and allow manager Erik ten Hag to focus on his first-team squad.