Manchester United have taken steps towards revamping their scouting department as part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s push to change the way the club operates. Ratcliffe has been on a crusade to cut costs since taking control of the club in February 2024 and views recruitment as one of the areas that most needs addressing.
Since INEOS took control of the club, there have been a huge number of redundancies across the board – and the scouting department is no exception. The idea is to streamline the previously bloated department by better utilising data, with director of recruitment Christopher Vivell at the helm.
Vivell joined in February last year and has won support of the INEOS decision-makers through his work behind the scenes. Director of scouting Steve Brown, who was hired in 2016 by ex-football director John Murtough, has now left the club, with many other scouts following suit.
Just a few years ago, United used to use around 140 scouts. That number dropped to 80 earlier this year and is expected to be reduced even further, with a change in structure being implemented from the top down.
READ MORE: Olympic legend Lord Seb Coe to lead Man Utd plan to build new 100,000-seater stadium
READ MORE: Man Utd receive Alejandro Garnacho transfer boost as exit route reopens with £45m bid
The Daily Mail reports that ‘sports intelligence agency’ Sportsology is now working on United’s behalf to find new hires. The London-based consultancy is looking for a head of senior recruitment, a head of emerging talent and several other senior roles, who will report to Vivell.
A report from earlier this year showed that United have racked up a staggering net spend of €1.3bn (£1.08bn) since 2015 – more than any other club in the world – without seeing the benefits on the pitch. They have not won the Premier League since 2013 and will be without any European football in 2025/26, having finished 15th and lost the Europa League final.
They have already splashed out £62.5m on Matheus Cunha and are negotiating the transfer of Bryan Mbeumo, who will cost north of £60m. A squad overhaul is planned, with the departures of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho helping to fund further arrivals.

Ratcliffe has been open about making the “difficult” decisions he believes are necessary to turn things around at United. " Manchester United has become mediocre," he told the United We Stand fanzine earlier this year.
"It is supposed to be one of the best football clubs in the world. We have to make some difficult and unpopular decisions. If you shy away from the difficult decisions, then nothing much is going to change.”
He added: "I know we get criticism in the press, but we do need to challenge the cost of running this club because what I want to be free for us to do is buy really good footballers, not spend so much of the money on infrastructure. We can't run a business at a loss, which is where United have been in the last couple of years."
Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
You may also like
3rd Test: Root And Pope Take England To 83/2 After Reddy Removes Openers
'Our neighbours allow daughter's pals to park on our lawn so my husband got pay back'
Katie Taylor rejected last-minute demand to change rules of Amanda Serrano fight
Rubio holds talks with Russia's Lavrov as Ukraine tensions soar
Ekta Kapoor Explains Why She Was Against Kyuki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Reboot After 25 Yrs