Mike Phelan is in line to become Manchester United’s new technical director as the club embark on another huge rebuilding job.

Phelan, 56, has been working as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s No. 2 since the Norwegian took temporary charge in December following the sacking of Jose Mourinho.

It is a role he held for five years under Sir Alex Ferguson before leaving the club in 2013 but his brief is now set to widen following talks with Ed Woodward, United executive vice-chairman, and input from Solskjaer.

Although he has been keen to maintain his involvement with the first team, Phelan is thought to have harboured some concerns with Solskjaer about United’s bloated scouting network and the communication channels between the coaching staff and the club’s hierarchy and has been receptive to the idea of becoming their first ever technical director.

United have been searching for someone to work alongside, rather than above, the manager and who represents a cultural fit and has a similar feel for the club as Solskjaer, who has talked about the need for a “ruthless” cull at Old Trafford.

Michael Carrick could be promoted to Solskjaer's No.2 credit: Action Images via Reuters

The strong working partnership and respect between Phelan and Solskjaer has not gone unnoticed internally and the club now seem ready to place their trust in two former players to lead them forward, with the scale of the challenge underlined by Sunday’s spineless 4-0 surrender at Everton.

A third United old boy, Michael Carrick, who retired at the end of last season, could be promoted from first team coach to assistant manager as part of any reshuffle.

United’s scattergun approach to recruitment has drawn fierce criticism and there is recognition of a need for someone to take a longer-term view on the first team, loan players and the academy.

Mourinho was opposed to the appointment of a technical director and the problems in the transfer market were compounded by the manager and recruitment team - both of whom had vetoes on signings - having very contrasting outlooks.