Atletico Madrid man emerges as a leading contender for top Manchester United job

Andrea Berta has emerged as a top contender for Manchester United's director of football role, according to the London Evening Standard.

The Atletico Madrid sporting director is reportedly one of those being considered by United's chief executive Ed Woodward for the role of director of football.

It is said that United have already registered an interest in the Italian as they look to appoint someone to the position before the end of the year.

He joined Atletico from Genoa in 2013 and has been an important member of the recruitment team at the Spanish side, assisting in the signing of players like Antoine Griezmann and Jan Oblak, just to mention a few.

Berta was linked to United when Jose Mourinho came in 2016, but it was blocked by Woodward who wanted to be in charge of transfers.

With Jose Mourinho failing to get his targets during the last summer transfer window, United believe that getting a director of football will help prevent such situations in future.