'I don't remember anyone saying, 'wow, look at what Palace are doing'': Rio Ferdinand questions why Sir Jim Ratcliffe is thought to be targeting Dougie Freedman as Man United's new sporting director

Rio Ferdinand has questioned why Manchester United would be interested in appointing Crystal Palace's sporting director Dougie Freedman into a major role at Old Trafford.

The Palace executive has been linked with moving into a new position at Man United once Sir Jim Ratcliffe's investment in the club is finalised.

71-year-old Ratcliffe is reportedly considering an overhaul of the club's executive team and Freedman is one of the names being promoted as a potential sporting director.

United supporters have repeatedly called for the club to appoint someone in the capacity given their unconvincing spending in the transfer market since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down as manager.

However, Ferdinand is bemused as to why the Selhurst Park director would be a potential target for his former club given United's ambitions.

'His name has come out of left field. No disrespect, but I don't remember anyone saying 'wow, look at what Palace are doing',' said Ferdinand on his Vibe with Five YouTube channel.

'Paul Mitchell, I get it, he has a history of doing good things and the same with Michael Edwards, Julian Ward at Liverpool.

'They have a body of successful work that is recognised, so has Dan Ashworth with England and then Brighton and now at Newcastle. You can understand that but nobody says that about Palace. 

'(Michael) Olise, (Eberechi) Eze and (Marc) Guehi are three players you look at that have been good signings but for everyone one of those, there are others that haven't worked.

'They don't have a reputation that makes you understand why United would go for him. Dan Ashworth has been in these roles before but John Murtough has worked in positions that aren't based around football. He was helping out behind-the-scenes but not in football things.'

The former Scotland striker, Freedman was a former Scotland striker and enjoyed playing spells at Palace, Forest, Wolves and Leeds during his playing career.

He then enjoyed managerial tenures at Crystal Palace, Bolton and Forest before moving into the boardroom where he has remained at Selhurst Park. 

Freedman could replace United's current technical director John Murtough and football director Darren Fletcher, whose positions are believed to be at risk. United have blown more than £1bn on transfers in the past three years but have been criticised for making poor recruitment decisions.

Reports have also suggested that Ratcliffe has built a shortlist of possible candidates, which includes former Monaco sporting director Paul Mitchell, while ex-Liverpool sporting directors Michael Edwards and Julian Ward are also in the frame. 

Ferdinand continued his scathing analysis of Ratcliffe's planned investment and described the British billionaires plans to take full sporting control as a 'big risk'. 

'Jim Ratcliffe is paying 25 percent and he is getting full reins of the football side. He is controlling the ins and outs and all recruitment.

'It is a big risk. You can't say he has been hugely successful before. I hope he shakes it up and lays out his template. Rangnick and Mourinho said it and many different sporting directors have spoke about the playing style,' he added.