Manchester United vice-chairman Ed Woodward is to remain in control of transfers for the coming season.

The decision being made as the club has failed to make significant moves over a permanent director of football.

Woodward himself has been in charge of identifying the right man, but so far there have been no credible candidates according to reports in the Daily Mail.

Talks have been held with Rio Ferdinand, Darren Fletcher and Patrice Evra over offering assistance and opinion on players, but talk has shifted from suggestions of a committee-style approach involving multiple former players.

United have been prepared to allow any chosen candidate to be based in the club's Mayfair offices in London.

The £18million deal to take Daniel James to Old Trafford from Swansea was negotiated by Matt Judge, United's head of corporate affairs, with Woodward signing off on terms. The duo have overseen recruitment for the past few windows.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and assistant Mike Phelan take an active part in deciding transfer targets, with chief scouts Jim Lawlor and Mick Court also contributing.