Manchester United director of football Jason Wilcox is under increasing pressure after Lisandro Martinez publicly criticised the club's board and questioned the lack of summer investment. The defender singled out Wilcox after the 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid, saying he "expects more from our technical director" and "expects more from the top."
Wilcox under scrutiny after Martinez outburst
Wilcox's position is now under serious scrutiny, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS-assembled team failing to give manager Michael Carrick sufficient backing to turn the club's fortunes around after a remarkable end to last season. Here, Daily Star Sport looks at six names who could replace Wilcox as director of football if he is sacked.
Jason Ayto
Jason Ayto surprisingly departed his position as Brighton's sporting director in June, just nine months after arriving from Arsenal. The Athletic revealed the separation stemmed from "fundamental differences" regarding the data-driven recruitment approach championed by Seagulls owner Tony Bloom.
This doesn't mean Ayto, 41, opposes data-informed transfers - quite the contrary. During his 11-year stint at the Emirates Stadium, he became accustomed to analytics working alongside traditional in-person scouting methods and video assessment, with all elements contributing equally to recruitment decisions. His final years at Arsenal particularly assisted the Gunners in securing a host of outstanding signings. That favoured combination of conventional scouting alongside data-driven insights sounds precisely like what's required at Old Trafford.
Piero Ausilio
Following 28 years at the San Siro, Piero Ausilio resigned as Inter Milan's sporting director with immediate effect. Rumours indicate the Italian has reached an agreement to team up with fellow countryman Roberto De Zerbi from the January transfer window. That arrangement remains unofficial, though. With a view to recruiting from the elite, United could fare far worse than swooping in to secure the expertise of a figure who has helped shepherd multiple successful periods for the Nerazzurri.
Inter became especially skilled at hoovering up free transfers and cut-price acquisitions in recent seasons, but more importantly at spotting emerging young prospects. Ausilio also managed to generate a £47.2million profit on Andre Onana, though some United supporters might harbour a grudge against him for precisely that reason.
Laurence Stewart
Following four years at Chelsea, it was recently confirmed that co-sporting director Laurence Stewart will depart from his position. That could offer a highly attractive chance for United to recruit a promising young talent in the field with some very compelling credentials.
Before joining Stamford Bridge, Stewart worked as technical director at Monaco for nearly three years. His earlier scouting role at RB Leipzig also secured him advancement to Red Bull's worldwide head of scouting, while he's previously recruited talent for Manchester City and Everton. Not a shabby record for someone who's only 40. The financial limitations he'd face at Old Trafford would appear vastly different from what he's grown used to at Stamford Bridge, but could prove worthwhile for the individual who assisted in revitalising the Blues through some excellent transfer business in recent seasons.
Jared Dublin
Rather an unconventional pick should United determine their objective is to uncover the 'next big thing' instead of a more established figure. American Jared Dublin joined Hull City as head of recruitment in 2024 before being elevated to sporting director position later that same year.
Though barely escaping relegation to League One during his inaugural campaign, the benefits of his efforts became apparent in the promotion drive of 2026. He departed the club following a reported wage dispute before witnessing their Premier League triumph, which has been evident throughout this season. The former Stoke City, Sheffield United and Reading scout lacks the standing enjoyed by others featured on this list. While representing a greater gamble, it would prove fascinating to observe how the 34-year-old rising star would handle United's affairs if given control of a global powerhouse.
Michael Edwards
Undoubtedly a divisive choice amongst certain supporters given his former loyalties, Michael Edwards remains a highly sought-after figure in the current market. Having spent the best part of 15 years at Liverpool, United's fiercest rivals may have inadvertently developed a precious asset for the club.
Edwards initially departed Anfield as sporting director in 2022 before making his comeback two years later as chief executive of Fenway Sports Group (FSG). His standing took something of a hit during recent seasons, including his management of Mohamed Salah's departure from the club and a downturn in the calibre of acquisitions that originally fuelled Jurgen Klopp's triumphs. Nevertheless, he remained the architect behind that golden era of success from the outset. Should Edwards manage to rekindle the same recruitment magic that transformed Liverpool, he could potentially breathe new life into another slumbering giant in United.
Sebastian Kehl
A compelling case exists that Borussia Dortmund's player acquisition throughout the 21st century stands as Europe's finest. There's good reason why countless emerging talents today are so keen to utilise the Westfalenstadion as their launchpad to greater heights. Club legend Sebastian Kehl transitioned into an administrative position in 2018 and served four years as sporting director before his departure in March.
Throughout this period, the club either secured or developed talents including Serhou Guirassy, Felix Nmecha, Karim Adeyemi, Julian Ryerson, Jamie Gittens, Nico Schlotterbeck and numerous others, all while operating on a comparatively modest budget. Dortmund's loss could potentially be United's gain, considering Kehl's knack for maximising his budget. Despite parting ways with the Black and Yellows, the 46-year-old's impressive track record offers plenty of positive indications that he could succeed at Old Trafford.
