sport news Man United senior staff are sweating over their Old Trafford futures after John ... trends now

John Murtough has stepped down as Manchester United’s football director, leaving senior staff fretting over their futures at the club under new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. 

Murtough’s exit was confirmed on Tuesday and is no surprise given United’s move to install Dan Ashworth as the new director of football once they have agreed compensation with Newcastle. 

The club are also in discussions with Southampton to take Jason Wilcox as the new technical director, replacing Darren Fletcher who is still wanted by United in a new role. 

United have already poached Omar Berrada from Manchester City as a replacement for chief executive Richard Arnold, who became the first victim of the Ratcliffe revolution, and the club announced on Tuesday that Murtough is leaving by mutual agreement. 

Praising the 50-year-old’s contribution over more than a decade at United, Ratcliffe said: ‘We want to thank John for his loyal service over many years, and for his support and integrity during this period of transition.’ 

Murtough stepped up to become United’s first football director in 2021 and oversaw the spending of more than £500million on new signings, but recruitment was one of the first areas Ineos wanted to improve following Ratcliffe’s investment.

He was also heavily involved in a regeneration of United’s academy, which led to the breakthrough of young stars like Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, as well as the launch of a women’s team.

United co-chairman Joel Glazer said: ‘After 11 years of tireless work for the club, John has mutually agreed with us that now is the right time to step aside and allow the new football leadership structure to be put in place.’

Murtough’s deputy Andy O’Boyle, director of player negotiations Matt Hargreaves, director of football operations David Harrison and academy head Nick Cox will lead the football operation under Ineos sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford until Ashworth and Wilcox are in place.

However, a number of senior figures are sweating over their long-term futures with Ashworth expected to implement changes of his own when he arrives in the summer.

Brailsford has been assessing all departments for months, and Ratcliffe recently appointed consultancy firm Interpath to cut costs which will inevitably lead to job losses. 

Murtough arrived under Moyes, having worked together at Everton, and started out as United's academy manager.

In 2016 he became the director of development and in 2021 he was picked by Ed Woodward to become director of football.

The 53-year-old has since been tasked with overseeing transfers and recruitment alongside two permanent managers - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag.

Only last month, Murtough and director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves were filmed in Barcelona for what sources described as routine meetings ahead of the transfer window.

He

read more from dailymail.....