Nottingham Forest sporting director Dougie Freedman is being linked with Manchester United.

The Scot is on Sir Jim Ratcliffe's radar as he prepares for his 25 per cent purchase of United to be confirmed.

Ratcliffe wants to find a new sporting director and Freedman is being discussed, says the Daily Star.

Key to the deal is Ratcliffe's No2 Sir Dave Brailsford, who is a fan of Freedman. Indeed, the Scot held talks with Nice last year about joining the French club, which is owned by Ratcliffe's company INEOS.

Freedman has built his reputation at Palace over the success of the likes of Ebere Eze, Michael Olise and Marc Guehi.