Manchester United are undergoing significant changes in their medical and coaching staff as part of a comprehensive restructuring led by INEOS.
According to reports from The Daily Mail, the club is set to part ways with two longstanding first-team physios, Richard Merron and John Davin.
Merron, who has been with Manchester United for 23 years and served as a first-team physio since 2017, and Davin, a fixture in the medical staff since June 1997, will be departing as part of efforts to overhaul the medical department.
The restructuring is being spearheaded by Gary O’Driscoll, who joined Arsenal last September as head of sports medicine. O’Driscoll has been instrumental in reshaping the medical team, including bringing in Jordan Reece from Arsenal to replace Robin Sadler as head of physio.
Additionally, Ibrahim Keren has moved from the women’s team to a significant role with the first team, while Neil Hough has left his position in the academy.
O’Driscoll’s tenure has prioritised addressing the fitness challenges that Manchester United faced last season, during which the team grappled with nearly 70 separate cases of injury or illness.
The departure of Merron and Davin is seen as part of a broader strategy to bolster the club’s sports medicine capabilities, rather than an indictment of their individual performances.
On the coaching front, new assistants Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake, along with goalkeeper coach Jelle ten Rouwelaar, have joined Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff.
This marks the beginning of a new era as the team prepares for the upcoming season. Meanwhile, Mitchell van der Gaag and goalkeeper coach Richard Hartis are among those leaving, while Steve McClaren is expected to assume a new role within the coaching setup.
As the restructuring continues, INEOS aims to establish a sustainable framework for success, blending tradition with modernization to propel Manchester United to new heights in both domestic and European football.
Further announcements regarding personnel changes and operational adjustments are anticipated throughout the 2024-25 campaign.