Man United confirm appointment of former Southampton chief as technical director

Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of former Southampton chief Jason Wilcox as the club's new technical director with immediate effect.

Wilcox will work with all technical areas of the football department to "achieve the highest standards of performance", the Old Trafford club said in a statement.

Southampton also released a statement to confirm they have "reluctantly" allowed Wilcox to join United after reaching an agreement on an "acceptable compensation fee".

Sky Sports News broke the news earlier his month that United had approached Saints and there was a dispute over the terms of his release, which United believed they had met by offering the equivalent of a year of his salary.

Southampton disputed the existence of the relevant clause and were angered that Wilcox had been unsettled as they chase promotion.

United believed they had been respectful and followed correct processes throughout their pursuit.

New United chief executive Omar Berrada knows Wilcox well from their time together at Manchester City, where Wilcox worked his way up from coach to academy director.

Berrada wants the former winger, who won the Premier League with Blackburn in 1995, to form a crucial part of the new recruitment set-up at Old Trafford; and to be guided, eventually, by sporting director-elect Dan Ashworth.

Ashworth is also the subject of talks over a compensation agreement with Newcastle, who have put him on a substantial period of gardening leave that may yet delay his official start until after the summer transfer window.

United are also thought to be looking to add someone in a role that is likely to oversee player pathways throughout the INEOS group, which includes clubs Nice in France and Lausanne in Switzerland.

John Murtough