New Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner breaks silence on Man Utd links to Dougie Freedman

New Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner expects to work alongside Dougie Freedman 'for a long time' amid reports linking the sporting director with a move to Manchester United.

Freedman has been one of several names to emerge as a potential target for United's new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is looking to overhaul the club's recruitment set up. Recent reports even went as far as to suggest an official approach was on the horizon for the 49-year-old.

ManchesterWorld understands that while United have reached out to a number of well-regarded individuals about executive-level roles within the club, Freedman is not on that shortlist. And Glasner has seemingly echoed that stance, admitting he has a 'great' sporting director at his new club that he hopes to work with well into the future.

“It shows me what I was thinking – here [at Palace] there is a great sporting director and a great person,” Glasner told reporters on Friday. “This is how I see Dougie after two weeks and a lot of talks with him. He knows all the players all over the world.  He is a fantastic guy. He is a great person and a sporting director. If there are these rumours, it shows other clubs see it in the same way. 

“I don’t know if it’s true or not. We didn’t speak about the squad for next year – I want to get to know the players who are here. There are injured players I have never seen in a training session. We will start [planning the squad] in the next week. The feeling that I have is we will plan the squad for next year together and we will work together for a long time.”

Ratcliffe is working hard behind the scenes to bring in a number of new hires above manager Erik ten Hag, having already poached Omar Berrada from Manchester City as his new chief executive. Dan Ashworth remains the priority target to take over as sporting director but United feel that Newcastle's demand of at least £10million compensation is extortionate and are willing to play the waiting game.