Man United ‘aim to appoint former Chelsea technical director on short-term deal’ to support summer transfer window after Dan Ashworth arrival

Manchester United are reportedly working to appoint former Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell on a short-term deal to assist with the summer transfer window.

The Red Devils finally installed Dan Ashworth as their new sporting director on Monday after agreeing a compensation settlement with Newcastle.

Ashworth has been on gardening leave for the last four months and was about to take Newcastle to arbitration after they rejected United’s offer of £2million and demanded £20m.

A compromise was agreed over the weekend that will enable United to formally appoint Ashworth, who starts work immediately.

According to The Athletic, Man United are now working to appoint Vivell on an initial short-term basis to assist with the transfer window.

Vivell, right, had worked for Chelsea during the January transfer window in 2023 but left the club in the summer

The 37-year-old would reportedly provide Man United with knowledge of operating in a multi-club model, with the German having previously worked for RB Leipzig.

Vivell’s initial task would reportedly be to offer expertise around talent ID and player recruitment.

He had previously been hired as Chelsea’s technical director where he was tasked with helping the club’s long-term project of success under owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.

Vivell was hired as the long-term successor to former advisor and legendary Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech who left the club following the ownership takeover.

He joined the club in December 2022, but left his role at Stamford Bridge in July 2023.

His departure came after a board-level restructure after the January transfer window in 2023 that resulted in Vivell reporting to sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley.

Dan Ashworth will lead Man United’s transfer strategy after a deal was agreed with Newcastle

Vivell originally came in at a more senior role than the duo.

Man United’s summer transfer strategy will be led by Ashworth, with the club looking to sign a new striker, defensive midfielder and centre-back. 

Talks are progressing with Bayern Munich over a deal for Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt worth £42m plus add-ons after United and Everton failed to agree on a fee for Jarrad Branthwaite.

United have identified Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee and Jonathan David, of Lille, as their top striker targets, while Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte is among the midfield options being considered.