Crystal Palace fans may be somewhat worried about recent rumours linking sporting director Dougie Freedman with Manchester United.
Man United recently announced that Richard Arnold would be leaving the club, and they now have an eye on Freedman to replace him.
Rio Ferdinand questioned the decision to target the Palace director and former striker, but United clearly feel that the job he has done at Selhurst Park makes him suitable to lead a rebuild at their club.
If Freedman does leave, it could put Palace in a difficult position, and it may be a tense few weeks until this uncertainty is resolved.
Crystal Palace stance on Dougie Freedman
A report from The Sun has now revealed that United are targeting Freedman, but Palace do not want to lose him.
United have other targets in mind alongside Freedman, and Palace will hope that they end up hiring one of the alternatives to their sporting director.
Freedman is one of the longest-serving sporting directors in the Premier League, having taken up the role in 2017.
Would losing Dougie Freedman be damaging for Crystal Palace?
Losing Freedman in the middle of the season could be quite a setback for Crystal Palace. With Roy Hodgson’s contract expiring at the end of the season, Freedman would be set to play a leading role in finding a potential successor and setting long-term ambitions for the next manager.
Freedman has made some superb signings over the years, and even this season has tied down Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze to new deals.
Should he go to United, there may also be fears that Freedman would then target the likes of Marc Guehi or Olise to bring with him, and losing such a crucial figure at the club, as well as potentially Hodgson and a few key players, would put Palace in a difficult position.
It is unclear whether Freedman would be open to the move, but Palace will now be desperate to make sure he does not leave.
