Luis Campos 'Proud' About Manchester United Director of Football Role Links

Lille sporting director Luis Campos has said he is "proud" to be linked with a possible director of football role at Manchester United but has insisted no talks have taken place with the club. 

After a frustrating summer for the Red Devils, speculation has gathered pace regarding an appointment of someone who oversees transfers at Old Trafford. Campos, who worked with United manager Jose Mourinho at Porto and Real Madrid, has been linked with the potential new post.

However, Campos told Yahoo (h/t the Daily Mirror) that while he would be interested in such a role, there has been no contact from the Premier League side.

"Manchester United have not spoken to me about this position," he said. "But I'm very proud that my name is mentioned as one possibility because United have such a fantastic history in the world of football."

Campos has also previously worked with Monaco. During his time with the Principality club, he was credited with landing some fine players, including James Rodriguez, Bernardo Silva, Djibril Sidibe, Benjamin Mendy and Tiemoue Bakayoko.

In addition to Campos, United have also been linked with other names. According to Sky Sports, Football Association technical director Dan Ashworth and RB Leipzig's head of recruitment Paul Mitchell have also been considered for a possible role at Old Trafford.

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Ashworth has a glowing reputation in the FA following England's success at youth level; the Three Lions' under-17 and under-20 teams won their respective World Cups, while the under-19 side won the European Championship.

Mitchell, formerly of Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton, is also highly regarded. At Spurs he is said to have been key in landing players such as Dele Alli and Toby Alderweireld, while the likes of Sadio Mane and Dejan Lovren arrived at Saints as part of his recruitment strategy.

United have never had a director of football before, although Bleacher Report's Rob Blanchette believes that catering for such a figure would be a positive step for the Red Devils:

Supporters were left frustrated at the lack of activity in the transfer window this summer, with United failing to strengthen key areas of the team prior to the deadline. A director of football would go some way to streamlining the club's strategy in the market.

However, examples where a director of football has worked well down the years—most notably at teams like Monaco and Sevilla—have seen the figure not only sign well, but also knit together all facets of the football club and provide continuity in an environment when coaches stay for shortening amounts of time.

If United do create this job, the inaugural appointment would face plenty of scrutiny and be under immense pressure to succeed.