Manchester United are closing in on the appointment of their first technical director, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer playing a part in the recruitment process.

The club hope to have the position filled in time for the start of next season, with the successful candidate immediately set to work on the long-term transfer strategy.

While Solskjaer will have a major say on new signings – particularly this summer – he will be expected to work alongside a technical director, who will take a wider view of the first team squad.

Which is why Ed Woodward is so determined to ensure the new appointment is the perfect complement to United’s manager.

Solskjaer confirmed: “I've got an input in most of the things now and give my advice of course.

Man Utd's Transfer Window shortlist 12 show all Man Utd's Transfer Window shortlist 1/12 The key targets on Man Utd’s transfer wishlist… Getty Images 2/12 Aaron Wan-Bissaka Right back, Crystal Palace



A long-term target – but United are well stocked at right back for next season with Ashley Young and Diogo Dalot. Getty images 3/12 Daniel James Winger, Swansea City



Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hopeful a deal for the Swansea winger will be agreed imminently - telling Ed Woodward he wants his summer business to be concluded by July 1.



It is believed the fee for the 21-year-old could rise to between £15-20million with add-ons. Getty Images 4/12 Sean Longstaff Midfielder, Newcastle United



Longstaff fits perfectly into United's new transfer strategy of building for the long term. Getty Images 5/12 Harry Maguire Centre back, Leicester City



Jose Mourinho targeted the Leicester City defender last summer as part of his desperate search for a top class centre back.



Now Ole Gunnar Solskjær could reignite that pursuit after being given the go ahead by Ed Woodward to pay a club record fee for a defender this summer. REUTERS/Phil Noble 6/12 Idrissa Gueye Defensive midfield, Everton



The Senegalese midfielder, who was the subject of a January bid from Paris Saint-Germain, is now being considered by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as replacement for Ander Herrera. Stu Forster/Getty Images 7/12 Jadon Sancho Winger, Borussia Dortmund



The England international and former Man City man has been identified as one of Man Utd’s top targets in the next transfer window, with a source claiming: “They are doing everything they can to sign him.”



And despite Dortmund’s public stance that he is not for sale at any price – a bid in excess of £80m is expected to be enough to lure him to Old Trafford. Bongarts/Getty Images 8/12 Declan Rice Defensive midfield, West Ham



Also being monitored by City, he could be the long-term successor to Nemanja Matic or even the Michael Carrick replacement United have been looking for. REUTERS 9/12 Callum Hudson-Odoi Winger, Chelsea



The Chelsea starlet could be an alternative to Sancho if Borussia Dortmund hold firm on their stance that Sancho is not for sale. PA 10/12 Bruno Fernandes Midfielder, Sporting Lisbon



Sporting Lisbon’s free-scoring midfielder could cost as much as £90m – but would add energy and goals to United’s engine room. AFP/Getty Images 11/12 Kalidou Koulibaly Centre back, Napoli



The long-term preferred choice at centre back – but Napoli have so far resisted United’s approaches for the Senegal defender. REUTERS 12/12 Raphael Varane Centre back, Real Madrid



United were prepared to spend £100m on the Real Madrid defender last summer and will monitor his situation at the Bernabeu amid suggestions he is ready for a new challenge. EPA

“I’ve got to say, the communication between me, Ed and the owners is very good. We discuss different names (but) I am not the one who decides.

“Football has changed and the structure at football clubs has changed. Me and Ed and Joel (Glazer, co-owner) for that matter are looking to how this club can be run as smoothly and as well as possible.

“We'll see what the club will end up with and I'm happy discussing football with knowledgeable people in the right positions anyway.

“I think the demands of football nowadays means you've got to split responsibilities.”

Solskjaer’s openness to working in a more modernised structure was another factor in his favour when United opted to hand him a three-year contract last week.

Jose Mourinho had been opposed to Woodward bringing in a buffer between the manager and board – even seeking one-to-one talks with the executive vice chairman last season to ask for assurance no plans were in place.

At that point there weren’t – but the fallout following United’s failure to sign a top quality centre back last summer emphasised the need to alter their recruitment process.

Atletico Madrid’s Andrea Berta and Fabio Paratici from Juventus were leading candidates – but it now seems increasingly likely United will appoint a name more in tune with the club’s traditions.

That could be an internal option like the current head of football development John Murtough or academy director Nicky Butt.

Solskjaer’s close working relationship with Butt was also noted by United’s hierarchy when making a final decision on Mourinho’s permanent successor.

Mike Phelan, who is still to finalise his new role after his pivotal contribution to the revival under Solskjaer, also has the qualities to fulfil the job.

Woodward is looking to end the turbulence of the last five-and-a-half years since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.

Having seen Solskjaer’s dramatic success after restoring the traditions of the club, United have decided to follow that formula when it comes to the technical director.

Candidates such as Monchi and Paul Mitchell of RB Leipzig were dismissed.

The incoming appointment will be expected to take a holistic view of first-team planning, taking into account what is being produced at academy level, rather than simply buying ready-made solutions.

Among specific duties will be the identification of emerging players around the world in the under 21s age group, who can be signed and sent on loan to partner clubs.

United have taken their time over what they see as a vital appointment in their bid to close the ground on Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.

City have benefited greatly from Txiki Begiristain’s role as director of football and his tight-knit relationship with Pep Guardiola.

Players like Raheem Sterling and Kevin de Bruyne were signed before Guardiola even took charge in 2016 – but were made with a view to building a squad to suit the Catalan’s style.

Liverpool’s transfer committee has also enjoyed success, allowing Jurgen Klopp to patiently construct a squad that is now challenging for a Premier League and Champions League double. S

By contrast United’s transfer strategy has fluctuated wildly depending on the desires of David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Mourinho.

That came to an abrupt halt last summer when the club’s recruitment department vetoed a host of centre backs targeted by Mourinho, including Jerome Boateng and Yerry Mina.

Mourinho also had the power of veto – as will Solskjaer.

But the appointment of a technical director is expected to ensure a more synchronised approach to targets.

United are prepared to back their new manager heavily in the transfer market this summer, with an extensive list of targets in the process of being narrowed down.

Ordinarily a short-list would have been compiled by February, with plans for the summer beginning as early as September.

In Pictures | Man Utd vs Watford | 30/03/19 29 show all In Pictures | Man Utd vs Watford | 30/03/19 1/29 AFP/Getty Images 2/29 REUTERS 3/29 PA 4/29 PA 5/29 Action Images via Reuters 6/29 Getty Images 7/29 Getty Images 8/29 Getty Images 9/29 Man Utd via Getty Images 10/29 Getty Images 11/29 Getty Images 12/29 Action Images via Reuters 13/29 Man Utd via Getty Images 14/29 REUTERS 15/29 Man Utd via Getty Images 16/29 Action Images via Reuters 17/29 Man Utd via Getty Images 18/29 Action Images via Reuters 19/29 Action Images via Reuters 20/29 REUTERS 21/29 Man Utd via Getty Images 22/29 AFP/Getty Images 23/29 AFP/Getty Images 24/29 Man Utd via Getty Images 25/29 Getty Images 26/29 Getty Images 27/29 PA 28/29 Action Images via Reuters 29/29 PA

Mourinho’s sacking and the uncertainty over his successor has impacted the upcoming transfer window, but Solskjaer has been discussing transfer strategy with Woodward from early on in his caretaker tenure.

He believes United are in need of strengthening in all departments – but central defence, midfield and right wing are expected to be prioritised.

United are prepared to pay in excess of £80m for Jadon Sancho, with Kalidou Koulibally, Raphael Varane and Bruno Fernandes among those wanted.

Callum Hudson-Odoi, Declan Rice and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are also on Solskjaer’s radar.