And now for the appointment of a technical director. Manchester United are to push ahead with the recruitment of someone to work alongside, rather than above, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer now that the Norwegian has been appointed manager. And someone who has a similar feel for the club, which would suggest an internal appointment or another former player.

Despite the fierce criticism United have faced over their patchy transfer dealings, the club do not believe they are in need of an overhaul in the way they operate. Instead, they argue that a number of changes have already been made behind-the-scenes to modernise their approach. They do not need more change, they say.

But there is an acceptance that, having spoken long enough about hiring someone to drive the long-term strategy forward, it is anachronistic that a club of United’s stature and resources does not have a technical director.

And it will be a technical director, rather than a director of football, and someone who does not sit above Solskjaer and between him and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

The manager will not report to the technical director but the latter will, nevertheless, take a longer-term view on the first-team, loan players, the academy and, significantly, have an input (rather than overall control) of transfers. He will work with Solskjaer.