New Manchester United football chief John Murtough was involved in their bungled deal for Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland three years ago.
The Mirror reports United were closing in on the signing of then-Molde striker Haaland in the summer of 2018 only for confusion over different time zones to thwart their pursuit.
Old Trafford chiefs arranged a 9am call with the player's agent, Jim Solbakken, to finalise a deal worth £3million plus add-ons.
But they failed to communicate the call would take place at 9am British Summer Time rather than Norwegian time - and they rung one hour late to find Haaland had already signed for RB Salzburg.
The United representative responsible for the gaffe was previously unknown, but Football Insider claims the club's new Football Director was the culprit.
The report cites a source involved in the deal for Haaland which asserts Murtough was the person supposed to make the call to Solbakken.
