Jason Wilcox: Manchester United and Liverpool in battle to appoint Southampton's director of football

Manchester United are pushing to sign Liverpool target for Jason Wilcox.

The Southampton director of football is set to leave St Mary’s Stadium after resigning from his position, though faces the prospect of a 12-month period gardening leave.

Liverpool have discussed signing Wilcox despite him only joining Saints last summer.

United, however, remain hopeful they can win the battle to appoint him.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS group are overseeing footballing operations at Old Trafford and have already made eye-catching appointments.

Omar Berrada, who worked with Wilcox at Manchester City, will soon become the club’s CEO while the club continue talks with Newcastle over appointing Dan Ashworth, who has been placed on gardening leave by the Magpies.

Liverpool have recently bought former sporting director Michael Edwards back to the club as their new head of football operations as they prepare for life after Jurgen Klopp.

Former Scotland international Richard Hughes will join this summer as their new sporting director after leaving Bournemouth.