The former Premier League-winning winger has a close working relationship with Branthwaite’s agent David Reeves – and United believe his appointment will secure the instant bonus of helping them to attract Branthwaite to the club. Wilcox worked with a number of Reeves’ clients when he was at the Etihad.

One of those was Shea Charles, the 20-year-old Northern Ireland midfielder who came through the ranks at City before joining Wilcox at St Mary’s in an £11 million deal last summer. The Reds’ new co-owner wants to shift a number of big earners off the Old Trafford wage bill this summer – and is hoping John Murtough’s work in building contacts in Saudi Arabia will pay dividends despite his departure as United’s director of football last week.

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