Ferdinand questions why Ratcliffe to be targeting Freedman as sporting director

Rio Ferdinand has questioned why Manchester United would be interested in appointing Crystal Palace's sporting director Dougie Freedman into the same role at Old Trafford.

The Palace executive has been linked with moving into a new position at Man United once Sir Jim Ratcliffe's investment in the club is finalised.

71-year-old Ratcliffe is reportedly considering an overhaul of the club's executive team and Freedman is one of the names being promoted as a potential sporting director.

United supporters have repeatedly called for the club to appoint someone in the capacity given their unconvincing spending in the transfer market since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down as manager.

However, Ferdinand is bemused as to why the Selhurst Park director would be a potential target for his former club given United's ambitions.

'His name has come out of left field. No disrespect, but I don't remember anyone saying 'wow, look at what Palace are doing',' said Ferdinand on his Vibe with Five YouTube channel.

'Paul Mitchell, I get it, he has a history of doing good things and the same with Michael Edwards, Julian Ward at Liverpool.

'They have a body of successful work that is recognised, so has Dan Ashworth with England and then Brighton and now at Newcastle. You can understand that but nobody says that about Palace.

'(Michael) Olise, (Eberechi) Eze and (Marc) Guehi are three players you look at that have been good signings but for everyone one of those, there are others that haven't worked.

'They don't have a reputation that makes you understand why United would go for him. Dan Ashworth has been in these roles before but John Murtough has worked in positions that aren't based around football. He was helping out behind-the-scenes but not in