Steve Parish insists Dougie Freedman has not spoken to Manchester United despite 'flattering' reports

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly keen on bringing the Crystal Palace sporting director to Old Trafford
Matt Verri18 November 2023

Steve Parish has insisted there have been no talks between Dougie Freedman and Manchester United.

Crystal Palace sporting director Freedman has been linked with a job at Old Trafford, with reports suggesting that Sir Jim Radcliffe, who is on the verge of securing a 25% stage in United, is an admirer of his work.

Freedman had two spells as a player at Palace before managing the club after his retirement, and he returned to Selhurst Park in 2017 to take up the role of sporting director.

While Parish is confident that there is no substance behind talk of Freedman leaving the club, the Palace chairman admitted the reports are "flattering" for the Eagles.

"I certainly don't think there's been any conversations," he told the Rest is Football podcast.

"It's flattering for the club. You guys live in the world where 50% of the stories in the media are true. 50% are not. We just don't know which ones yet."

Freedman was heavily involved in bringing the likes of Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi to Palace for a combined figure of just over £40million, with Joachim Andersen and Cheick Doucoure among the other success stories.

Freedman helped bring Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze to Selhurst Park
Getty Images

Patrick Vieira, when he was in charge of the Eagles, labelled Freedman "one of the strengths of the football club", and it is a sentiment echoed by Parish.

"He's got a real affinity to the club and works really hard," the Palace chairman said of Freedman.

"We have signed some really good players and most importantly - the transfer window which is probably the hardest part of the job - it's fun being involved in it with him.

"The fact he's being linked with clubs like that show he's doing the right thing."

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