Manchester United’s recruitment operation looks nothing like it did two years ago. Since INEOS assumed control of the club’s football activities in July 2024, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s group has methodically dismantled the old structure and replaced it with something that looks more like a corporate boardroom than a traditional football backroom.
The people behind the pivot
The centerpiece of the new structure is Christopher Vivell, who holds the title of Director of Recruitment. Vivell came in as an interim appointment during the summer of 2024 and was confirmed in the role permanently in February 2025, a timeline that suggests INEOS wanted to see how he operated before making it official.
Kyle Macaulay adds genuine pedigree to the scouting side. He joined as Head of Senior Scouting in January 2026, bringing a career that ran through Brighton, Chelsea, and West Ham.
Then there is Michael Sansoni, arguably the most unconventional hire of the group. Sansoni was appointed Director of Data in 2025 after spending eleven years with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team. INEOS, which also owns the Mercedes F1 team through Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s broader sports portfolio, is essentially cross-pollinating its analytical culture into Old Trafford’s football department.
