Crystal Palace has always exerted a magnetic pull on Dougie Freedman. Two spells at Selhurst Park as a player earned him legendary status before he saved them from relegation as manager.
Returning in 2017 as sporting director, the Scot has helped cement Palace's status as a reliable mid-table Premier League club.
This achievement hasn't gone unnoticed. Freedman is among the early contenders to become Manchester United's director of football once Sir Jim Ratcliffe completes his £1.3billion buyout of a 25 per cent stake at Old Trafford.
Freedman's track record at Palace has impressed billionaire Ratcliffe and his head of sport, Sir Dave Brailsford, as they draw up plans to transform United's flagging fortunes on the pitch.