EXCL: Paul Mitchell under consideration for a Manchester United role

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is looking into bringing the former Monaco man to Old Trafford

Paul Mitchell is a leading name under consideration for a sporting director role at Manchester United should Sir Jim Ratcliffe prove successful in his bid.

Ratcliffe's offer for 25% of the club will be put to a board vote next week. He is now likely to succeed after his main rival, Sheikh Jassim, withdrew from the process.

Ratcliffe's INEOS want an initial stake worth around £1.4bn and an eventual path to control. And as part of the deal, the British billionaire wants sporting control straight away. How this is given, and how legally binding it is, remains unclear. But it's believed Ratcliffe, if successful, will undertake a 100-day review and be extremely hands-on at Manchester United.