Michael Edwards Man United
© IMAGO - Michael Edwards Man United
Before Michael Edwards' return to Liverpool, the sporting director could have ended up at Manchester United.
Anfield Watch understands that Edwards held discussions and was targeted by INEOS back towards the end of 2023.
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Manchester United's new minority stakeholders, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, were keen to take the club in a new direction at the time.
Edwards, who had been the mastermind behind Jurgen Klopp's success at Liverpool playing a key role in the recruitment of the club's key stars during his first stint at Anfield, was seen as the ideal option for Man United.
However, in the end INEOS couldn't convince Edwards to join the club.
Why Michael Edwards rejected Man United
Anfield Watch understands INEOS were keen to bring Edwards in order to replicate his success story at Liverpool. However, Edwards has reservations of his own.
He had wanted full control at Old Trafford over footballing matters with the title of CEO as well as a £12m contract per year plus bonuses.
INEOS could not guarantee his demands and the negotiations stopped right there, with Edwards rejecting any further advances from Liverpool's rivals.
That meant United were forced to pursue other options in the market.
Michael Edwards and Arne Slot
© IMAGO - Michael Edwards and Arne Slot
United's inability to persuade Edwards allowed FSG to swoop in and while their first offer to Edwards was also rejected, the 45-year-old was more open to negotiate with his former employers.
Once he had been offered the role of chief football executive, overseeing football operations under the FSG umbrella, he was sold on the project.
It's a decision Edwards likely will not regret either. Liverpool are his boyhood club and his team are in great form currently leading the Premier League and the Champions League table.
Meanwhile, chaos continues to reign at Old Trafford.
United's alternate candidate to Edwards, Dan Ashworth, was undermined recently in the club's hiring of Ruben Amorim and has parted ways with the club after just five months.
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