Manchester United hire former Tottenham Hotspur chief

Manchester United’s off-field rebuild continues to gather pace.

After recently confirming the promotion of Connor Hunter to head of academy recruitment as part of the club’s wider structural reshuffle, attention has turned to strengthening the scouting department.

The move comes amid significant changes under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment, with Jason Wilcox overseeing football operations and a renewed emphasis placed on smarter recruitment – particularly in the under-21 market.

United have already shown a willingness to target emerging talent for first-team integration.

The signing of Ayden Heaven from Arsenal last year is one example of the profile the club are keen to identify: young, high-ceiling players capable of bridging academy and senior football.

Another example is fellow former Arsenal player Chido Obi, who also joined the club last summer and has since made several appearances for Manchester United’s first team.

Now, according to The Athletic, United have appointed Ian Broomfield in a casual scouting role focused specifically on the under-21 market.

Broomfield most recently worked at Tottenham Hotspur, where he served as head of scouting before departing during a shift toward a more data-led recruitment model in 2024.

The 75-year-old brings over three decades of experience in talent identification, having also held senior recruitment roles at Leeds United and Aston Villa.

His brief at Old Trafford will centre on identifying players already emerging at senior level but still within the developmental age bracket – a strategy aligned with United’s broader long-term planning.

The appointment follows Luke Fedorenko’s departure and further underlines the club’s intent to refine recruitment pathways beneath the first team.

With Michael Carrick overseeing an on-pitch resurgence and the club drawing up ambitious summer plans – including a major midfield rebuild following Casemiro’s confirmed departure on social media – Manchester United’s hierarchy appear determined to strengthen every layer of the football operation.