OLD TRAFFORD chiefs are ready to sign up talent- spotting king Jim Fraser — after his Chelsea exile.
Fraser spent 20 years at Stamford Bridge before being axed last year.
Now his gardening leave is ending and he looks set to join Manchester United.
United are in the process of cutting about 200 jobs behind the scenes and also getting rid of several scouts.
But minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe sees Fraser as a key capture as they plan to sign leading young talent for the future.
He was Chelsea academy chief and boasts a huge reputation for unearthing top young stars.
At the Blues, he helped to discover the likes of Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher, Reece James and Tammy Abraham.
Other gems included Marc Guehi, Levi Colwill and Dominic Solanke.
This fits with Ratcliffe’s push to discover talent at United — rather than spend fortunes on risky big-name signings.
United’s shake-up has begun, with leading figures like David Harrison — their director of football operations — leaving.
The club’s top brass have tried to delay the announcement of major redundancies until the end of this season.
Cost-cutting chiefs held club-wide reviews, including senior scouting, with many interviewed about their roles.
The month-long process ended a few weeks ago but the final cull was not meant to be made public at such a vital moment.
There were fears the axings would hurt morale in the final weeks of the season as they chase Europa League glory.
It comes as Real Madrid attempt to set up a bizarre deal with United as the Spaniards eye Benfica left-back Alvaro Carreras.
Los Blancos reportedly hope to use the 22-year-old’s former club United as a “bridge” to help recruit the £51millon-rated star.
The Red Devils sold Carreras for just £5.1m – but with a £15.3m buy-back clause.
Real aim to work with United so that the Prem giants activate the defender’s relatively cheap asking price.
Madrid could then step in to buy him – for a fee still well below £51m.
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