- Data company Ludonautics is run by Liverpool’s former director of research
- Improving Man United’s recruitment is seen as a priority area for Sir Jim Ratcliffe
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Manchester United have held talks with the brains trust behind Liverpool’s successful transfer activity under Jurgen Klopp as they continue the process of improving their own recruitment.
Mail Sport has learned that United have had discussions with Ludonautics, the sports advisory and statistical analysis business run by Liverpool’s former Director of Research Dr Ian Graham, but they are not working for the club.
Ludonautics was launched by Graham last year in an attempt to offer the data and analytical services he provided in 11 years at Anfield to other clubs.
Liverpool’s former sporting director Michael Edwards also works for Ludonautics as a consultant having rejected numerous offers to return to full-time work at other clubs.
Graham and Edwards spent 10 years together at Liverpool having previously worked with each other at Tottenham, and have been widely credited with providing the analysis which led the club to pursue bargain signings such as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Andrew Robertson.
It is unclear whether United made a formal offer to engage Ludonautics, but they are not currently working for the club. Sources at Old Trafford told Mail Sport that United maintain an on-going dialogue with a number of data and analytics providers to ensure they are fully informed about the latest developments in a rapidly evolving sector.
United’s recruitment has been widely criticised in recent years and has been earmarked as a priority area for new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is taking steps to improve matters.
In addition to the appointment of Omar Berrada as chief executive and moves to poach Dan Ashworth from Newcastle as sporting director, United also want to recruit a technical director and performance director to work under him.
Ratcliffe’s other sporting interests prioritise the use of data, most notably the Ineos Grenadiers cycling team, and that is regarded as another key area where improvements can be made at United.
Ludonautics have been appointed by several clubs across Europe to provide bolster their recruitment departments in the last few months, but do not disclose their list of clients.
United and Ludonautics declined to comment.
