Lisandro Martinez's powerful rant against Manchester United's board following Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid begs the question as to who could come come in at short notice
Jason Ayto watches during the Arsenal Women's training session at London Colney
Jason Ayto left Brighton in May after just nine months with the Seagulls(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Manchester United director of football Jason Wilcox finds himself under even more pressure following Lisandro Martinez's rant at the club's board. The World Cup winner took aim at Wilcox and said he "expects more from out technical director" following a 2-0 Champions League loss at Atletico Madrid.
Martinez expanded on that criticism when he said he "expects more from the top," blaming the board for a lack of summer investment. He also attempted to divert responsibility away from Michael Carrick, whom he said is "doing his best" with the squad at his disposal.
Club legend Wayne Rooney was among those to rebuke Martinez for his "disrespectful" comments to the media. However, in the event Sir Jim Ratcliffe takes heed of the player's comments, there are a number of directors in free agency who could join United's cause immediately.
Jason Ayto
Jason Ayto unexpectedly left his role as Brighton's sporting director in June, only nine months after his arrival from Arsenal. The Athletic reported the split was down to "fundamental differences" over the data-led recruitment strategy promoted by Seagulls owner Tony Bloom.
That's not to suggest Ayto, 41, isn't a proponent of data driving transfers; he is. However, in his 11 years at the Emirates Stadium, he grew accustomed to data being paired with normal in-person scouting measures and video analysis all playing an equal part in signings.
His latter years at Arsenal in particular helped the Gunners make a slew of impressive additions to their squad. And that preferred blend of traditional scouting with influence from the data sounds like exactly what's needed at Old Trafford.
Piero Ausilio
After 28 years at the San Siro, Piero Ausilio stepped down as Inter Milan's sporting director with immediate effect. And speculation suggests the Italian has agreed to link up with compatriot Roberto De Zerbi from the January transfer window onwards.
That deal has yet to be made official, however. And in the interest of recruiting from the best, United could do a lot worse than to snipe in and snatch the services of a man who has helped usher in more than one era of success for the Nerazzurri.
Inter proved particularly adept at snaffling up free agents and bargain signings in more recent years but more so identifying young, upcoming talent. Ausilio also managed to make a £47.2million profit on Andre Onana, though some United fans may have a bit of an axe to grind against him for that very reason.
Laurence Stewart
Chelsea Sporting Directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart and owner Todd Boehly
Laurence Stewart (middle) played a big role in rejuvenating Chelsea in recent years(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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After four years at Chelsea, it was recently announced co-sporting director Laurence Stewart will step down from the role. That could present a very appetising opportunity for United to sign up a young prospect of the sector with some very appealing experience.
Prior to Stamford Bridge, Stewart served as technical director as Monaco for almost three years. His previous scouting work at RB Leipzig also earned him a promotion to Red Bull's global head of scouting, while he's also recruited for Manchester City and Everton in the past.
Not a bad CV at just 40 years old. His budget constraints at Old Trafford will look a lot different to what he's become accustomed to at Stamford Bridge but could be worth investigating for the man who helped rejuvenate the Blues with some superb dealings in recent years.
Jared Dublin
Something of a rogue choice if United decide their aim is to try and find the 'next big thing' rather than a more known quantity. American Jared Dublin joined Hull City as head of recruitment in 2024 and was promoted to become sporting director later that year.
Despite barely avoiding relegation to League One in his first season, the fruits of his labour were felt in the promotion push of 2026. He left the club over an alleged salary disagreement before he got to revel in their Premier League success, which has been plain to see this season.
The former Stoke City, Sheffield United and Reading scout doesn't have the reputation boasted by others on this list. And while a bigger risk, it would be extremely interesting to see how the 34-year-old up-and-comer would go about United's business if handed the reins of a global heavyweight.
Michael Edwards
Liverpool's chief executive of football Michael Edwards during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge
Michael Edwards could do the unthinkable by joining United soon after leaving rivals Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
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Undoubtedly a controversial pick among some fans given his previous allegiance, Michael Edwards is nonetheless a hot commodity on the market right now. Having worked at Liverpool for the better part of 15 years, United's greatest rival may yet have fashioned a valuable tool for the club.
Edwards first left Anfield as sporting director in 2022 before returning two years later as ceo of Fenway Sports Group (FSG). His reputation was somewhat tarnished by recent campaigns, such as the handling of Mohamed Salah's exit from the club and a decline in the kind of signings that first brought about Jurgen Klopp's success.
That being said, he was still the man in charge to help engineer that period of success in the first place. And if Edwards could revive the same transfer fervour that resurrected Liverpool, he may yet revive another sleeping giant in United.
Sebastian Kehl
There's an argument to be made that Borussia Dortmund's recruitment during the 21st century has been the best in Europe. After all, there's a reason why so many world prospects today are so eager to use the Westfalenstadion as a stepping stone to bigger things.
Club icon Sebastian Kehl moved into a backroom role in 2018 and spent the past four years as sporting director before leaving in March. During that time, the club either bought or promoted stars like Serhou Guirassy, Felix Nmecha, Karim Adeyemi, Julian Ryerson, Jamie Gittens, Nico Schlotterbeck and many others, all on a relatively thin budget.
Dortmund's loss could well be United's gain given Kehl is accustomed to stretching his bankroll to the fullest. And despite being let go by the Black and Yellows, there are enough encouraging signs in his catalogue of work to suggest the 46-year-old could
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