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Manchester United have held talks with the brains behind Liverpool’s successful transfer activity under Jurgen Klopp as they continue the process of improving their own recruitment.
Mail Sport has learned that United have had talks with Ludonautics, the sports advisory and statistical analysis company run by former Liverpool research director Dr Ian Graham, but they are not working for the club.
Ludonautics was launched by Graham last year in a bid to offer other clubs the data and analytics services he provided during 11 years at Anfield.
Former Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards also works for Ludonautics as a consultant and has turned down numerous offers to return to work full-time at other clubs.
Graham and Edwards spent 10 years together at Liverpool, having previously worked together at Tottenham, and are widely credited with the analysis that led the club to pursue cheap signings such as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Andrew Robertson.
Former Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards, left, works at Ludonautics as a consultant.
Dr Ian Graham and Michael Edwards were credited with signing Mohamed Salah.
Improving Manchester United’s recruitment seen as priority area for Sir Jim Ratcliffe
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It is unclear whether United made a formal offer to sign Ludonautics, but they are not currently working for the club. Old Trafford sources told Mail Sport that United are in ongoing dialogue with a number of data and analytics providers to ensure they are fully informed of the latest developments in a rapidly evolving sector.
United’s hiring has been widely criticized in recent years and has been flagged as a priority area for new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is taking steps to improve things.
As well as the appointment of Omar Berrada as chief executive and moves to hire Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth as sporting director, United also want to hire a technical director and performance director to work alongside him.
Ratcliffe’s other sporting interests prioritize the use of data, particularly the Ineos Grenadiers cycling team, and that is seen as another key area where improvements can be made at United.
Ludonautics has been hired by several clubs across Europe to strengthen their recruitment departments in recent months, but does not reveal its client list.
United and Ludonautics declined to comment.
