Manchester United’s latest behind the scenes move follows Ineos’ strategic goals.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have been on a mission to overhaul and streamline the Manchester United operation.
The club’s recruitment department is one of the areas that has been refreshed, with Ineos focusing on a data led approach.
In August, United hired ex-F1 chief Michael Sansoni to lead data operations, but work was already underway.
The club’s deals for Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha in particular were led by analytics. United did not even have a data department until 2022, remarkably.
Now the club have finalised another key hire, bringing in highly rated figure Kyle Macaulay.
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe, owner of Manchester United, Sir Dave Brailsford, head of sport for INEOS, Omar Berrada, Chief Executive officer of Manchester United, Dan Ashworth, sporting director of Manchester United, during the Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Manchester United FC at Villa Park on October 06, 2024
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Kyle Macaulay was recommended by Dan Ashworth
Kyle Macaulay has been hired by Manchester United as head of senior scouting, a role that will report directly in to Christopher Vivell.
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And intriguingly, Macaulay has been on United’s radar before. The Sun reported in February 2024 that Dan Ashworth had tipped Macaulay as a figure he wanted to recruit.
Ashworth and Macaulay worked together at Brighton, before both going on to take new roles.
Manchester United poached Ashworth from Newcastle, however, his stint at the club was short-lived, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe deciding to terminate his deal early.
Macaulay took a job at Chelsea, before reuniting with Graham Potter at West Ham.
His stint there came to an abrupt end when Potter was fired earlier this season, and he has been snapped up by Manchester United.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe gave Ruben Amorim his support
Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years. That’s where I would be.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe in October 2025
Kyle Macaulay, what you need to know
A former player, Macaulay featured for Aberdeen, Peterhead and Alloa in Scotland. But it is his post-playing career that has really taken off.
A source told Training Ground Guru: “Kyle has a very analytical mind and is a good operator.”
“I’m looking to identify players who are really hungry to succeed and have the right attitude and skills to help us here,” Macaulay told Swansea City media, upon taking his first job in the Football League.
He added: “It was my job to identify not only good players but good people too. We have a huge emphasis on that.
“Football is a different industry as you don’t have the recruitment process of interviews with players, so you speak to former and current team-mates and coaches, media, a player’s agent and the player himself. You do your background checks.
“You will get a range of opinions, but it’s your judgement call. Some players will be right for one club but not for another.”
Graham Potter spoke about how Macaulay would have a direct line to him, during their spells working together.
“He helps everyone else in that department as a bridge and a link between me and the recruitment team.”
Manchester United’s setup will be slightly different, with Ruben Amorim a collaborative part of Ineos’ process.
The club’s summer business has been widely praised, and hopefully Macaulay will help United identify and sign a number of top quality players during his time here.