Manchester United are reportedly hiring an analytics team of eight people to improve their transfer policy and close the gap on rivals Liverpool and Manchester City.

United have been criticised for their recruitment of players in recent years, including when Odion Ighalo was brought in late on January deadline day as cover for the injured Marcus Rashford.

However, according to The Athletic, United are now making additions to their off-field team in order to be more prepared in the transfer market going forward.

The report claims that the club plan to bring in an eight-person analytics unit to reduce pressure on academy players and medical staff.

The Red Devils are allegedly onto the second stage of interviews with certain candidates, who are believed to have already signed non-disclosure agreements.

League leaders Liverpool have an advanced analytics team which is headed up by Ian Graham, who regularly contacts manager Jurgen Klopp and sporting director Michael Edwards.

United currently sit fifth in the Premier League, three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea and 37 points behind Liverpool.