Recruiting a recruiter, the irony of it.
Manchester United look set to bring on board West Brom’s head of academy recruitment as they aim to up the output of the conveyor belt of talent that brought Marcus Rashford through to the first team.
Steve Hopcroft, the man who has identified stars like Saido Berahino, Jerome Sinclair, Jonathan Leko and Sam Field, is being tasked with discovering the next crop of talent who have the potential to become superstars at Old Trafford.
The Daily Telegraph report that Hopcroft is set to join up with the Nicky Butt-led youth academy in the hope that he is able to cultivate a generation of players to rival the famous Class of ’92 group.
The impending appointment comes after United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward saw fit to breathe new life into the academy as fewer and fewer prospects were developing into first team regulars in recent years.
Rashford is an exception to that, having been one of the bright sparks for the Red Devils last season, but the club remains hopeful of improving the talent pool.
Hopcroft’s greatest find has been Berahino, who broke on to the scene for the Baggies in 2013 and actually scored the winner over United at Old Trafford in a Premier League tie aged just 20.
While a strained relationship with current manager Tony Pulis has slowed Berahino’s progress, his gift is undeniable and Hopcroft spotted that at a very young age.
Hopcroft has made West Brom aware of his decision to leave, according to the report, and he is expected to start work in Manchester before the year is out.
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