MANCHESTER UNITED’s recruitment director, Christopher Vivell, believes he is being sidelined within the club as the season spirals downward.

This season, Vivell has been less present at Old Trafford compared to previous years when he was a frequent attendee in the directors’ box.

Last summer, United entrusted Vivell with greater responsibilities after streamlining their scouting operations, which he manages.

At 39 years old, Vivell has frequently interacted with agents and scouts during home games, enhancing his networking efforts.

However, the overall responsibility for recruitment at both the player and coaching levels lies with United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox.

Vivell did establish communication with the entourage of Benjamin Sesko when United decided to pursue the striker in late July 2025.

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Additionally, Vivell welcomed Matheus Cunha upon his transfer to Old Trafford from Wolves.

Previously, Vivell served as technical director at Chelsea and was at Red Bull Salzburg when Sesko transitioned to the Austrian club in 2019.

He continued within the Red Bull organization, moving to RB Leipzig, where he played a crucial role in convincing Sesko to join Salzburg’s sister club in Germany.

Having worked alongside Julian Nagelsmann at Leipzig, who has often been rumored to be a candidate for the United managerial position, Vivell shares both age and nationality with Nagelsmann.

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Nagelsmann encountered a setback after being dismissed as Germany’s coach in July following their shocking round-of-32 exit to Paraguay.

Since his release from Bayern Munich in March 2023, the 39-year-old has not returned to club management.

Wilcox enjoys the support of United’s chief executive, Omar Berrada, who was previously his colleague during their tenure at Manchester City.

United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has also backed Wilcox, despite the latter facing harsh criticism from Lisandro Martinez last week.