sport news Matt Judge is the Man United 's de facto chief negotiator and Ed Woodward's ...

As the process of Manchester United appointing a new technical director continues, it is business as usual at Old Trafford.

Transfer targets have been identified, negotiations initiated and offers made as United embark on a major rebuild this summer.

The man leading the project is, of course, Ed Woodward, the club's executive vice-chairman who has been calling the shots on a day-to-day basis since David Gill left United along with Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, and will continue to do so.

Search for Matt Judge on the internet and just one – unconfirmed – photograph exists of a tall, balding man walking behind Woodward in club suit and tie (above)

Search for Matt Judge on the internet and just one – unconfirmed – photograph exists of a tall, balding man walking behind Woodward in club suit and tie (above)

Woodward has become an increasingly high-profile character in the six years since, as you would expect from the figurehead of one of the world's biggest football clubs who has overseen a raft of big-name signings.

On the other hand, very little is known about the right-hand man who has advised Woodward on those deals and been responsible for negotiating the majority of them since 2016.

Search for Matt Judge on the internet and just one – unconfirmed – photograph exists of a tall, balding man walking behind Woodward in club suit and tie. There is no picture on his LinkedIn page.

The bio reads simply: 'Managing Manchester United's equity and debt capital structure – three equity offerings incl the IPO, totalling over $450m; and three debt refinancings ($1bn+) – debt private placement, term-loan and RCF. Also player negotiations (transfers and playing contracts).'

It is the final sentence that makes Judge such a key figure at United these days. A man with a Masters degree in economics from Bristol University – where Woodward also studied – and 13 years of experience in investment banking, his qualifications to be United's head of corporate development speak for themselves.

But it is not a title you would necessarily associate with the wheeling and dealing usually left to a director of football, and that is what makes Judge such an intriguing

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