Blackwell confirmed today that a delegation will travel to Austria and Switzerland next month.

"We will be represented over there," the United manager told The Star. "We will be sending people to go and watch the games.

"It's something we've already discussed and plans will be put in place."

Despite declaring his satisfaction with United's spying network on the continent when he returned to South Yorkshire in February, Blackwell, who recently agreed a three-year contract with Bramall Lane's board of directors, has already begun the process of overhauling the way they recruit new talent.

Blackwell, having previously stated that he would be concentrating on tried and tested Football League players, has clearly been encouraged to identify potential targets abroad.

However, with plc chairman Kevin McCabe revealing United are determined to resist offers for top scorer James Beattie, Blackwell is likely to find himself working to strict budget as the Brussels-based businessman continues his policy of sensible financial husbandry.

So the decision to explore avenues further afield, where English club's can often achieve better value for money, represents sound common sense.

United's determination to employ a head of football is another nod in this direction.

McCabe, who initially offered the position to Bryan Robson, had hoped to persuade ex-England manager Graham Taylor to accept the role.

Taylor was interested in discussing United's offer when it was first tabled in January but has apparently cooled on the idea, meaning McCabe must now cast his net further afield, with John Barnwell, who has left his post as chief executive of the League Managers' Association, the latest name in the frame.

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