Manchester United's director of football search down to two candidates?

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 01 February 2019

A report claims that Manchester United could appoint from within for their newly-created director of football position, with two names now in the frame.

Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has reportedly whittled down Manchester United's search for a new director of football to two candidates.

The Red Devils intend to create the new behind-the-scenes position in time for the summer following a couple of disappointing transfer windows.

United missed out on a number of targets before the season started, leading to public criticism from then-boss Jose Mourinho, who felt that more could have been done to bring in a new centre-back.

RB Leipzig chief Paul Mitchell, previously on the books of Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur, was widely considered to be Woodward's top choice to come on board as part of the restructuring of the club's football operations.

According to the Daily Star, however, the English giants may spring a surprise by appointing from within, as John Murtagh and Tony Whelan are the two men now in contention.

Mitchell is said to be a red herring and it is instead between Murtagh and Whelan, who are currently employed as head of youth development and assistant academy director respectively.

The report suggests that interviews will be held for the position in the next few weeks.