Head of Medicine McNally leaves Manchester United after 16 years

McNally joined United from Liverpool's Academy in 2006

McNally joined United from Liverpool's Academy in 2006

MANCHESTER UNITED Head of Sport Medicine and Science Steve McNally is leaving the club after 16 years.

McNally joined United in 2006 under Sir Alex Ferguson and during his time at Old Trafford the club won the Champions League, Club World Cup and five Premier League titles.

Following the retirement of Ferguson in 2013, McNally went on to work with five other managers, including Erik ten Hag. He will step down from his role at the end of January to become Performance Support Director at the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL).

United will now look for a replacement and, in the interim, Jim Moxon will step into the breach. Moxon left Liverpool in August after 18 months as their first-team doctor.

McNally said: "Leaving Manchester United after 16 years was a very difficult decision but I feel the time is right to step away from frontline provision at club level and utilise my experience in a new strategic role that will allow me to contribute to another vital aspect of the game.

“Alongside the directors, managers, players, coaches and colleagues from all departments past and present, I am proud to have been a small part of Manchester United’s recent history and thank them all wholeheartedly for their friendship, camaraderie and support.

"I will miss the United family but, until I take up my new post, I remain fully focused on helping all our teams build on the first half of this season, in particular Erik and his staff in preparation for the resumption after the World Cup.”

Football Director John Murtough added: "I’d like to thank Steve for everything he has done for our players, colleagues and the wider club. We will continue to benefit from his legacy through the first-class medical and sports science infrastructure and team he has built."

Former United captain Gary Neville tweeted: “Love Doc McNally. He’s given great service to the club and a vital member of the first team for all those years.”

There has been a big changing of the guard at United behind the scenes in recent months, with the following staff leaving their roles:

  • Alan Dawson (Director of Football Operations)
  • Andrew Meredith (Analysis Operations Manager)
  • Neil Wood (U23s boss)
  • Neil Ryan (U23s assistant)
  • David Kelly (Senior Sport Scientist)
  • Matt Judge (Director of Football Negotiations)
  • Jim Lawlor (Chief Scout)
  • Marcel Bout (Head of Global Scouting)

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