MANCHESTER UNITED are set to part ways with deputy football director Andy O’Boyle as their backroom shake-up continues.
The transfer guru joined United two years ago to assist former chief John Murtough, who left Old Trafford in April.
And he had a big say in this summer’s transfers, with Erik ten Hag splashing out on five major signings.
United landed defenders Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, as well as midfielder Manuel Ugarte and forward Joshua Zirkzee.
O’Boyle was also heavily involved in the exits of Mason Greenwood, Jadon Sancho, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Scott McTominay.
But the Athletic claims he will now leave the Theatre of Dreams after also enjoying spells with Liverpool, Wrexham and England’s U21s.
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It is unclear if United intend to replace O’Boyle after the club made a series of changes to its backroom following Ratcliffe’s partial takeover this year.
The Ineos chief is in charge of all football-related matters, with the Glazers staying as majority owners.
Ratcliffe is currently being assisted by Ineos No2 Sir Dave Brailsford.
And the pair have put together a new hierarchy to help return United to the top.
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Omar Berrada was poached from rivals Manchester City as the new CEO.
While lengthy negotiations with Newcastle eventually saw Dan Ashworth arrive as director of football.
Ten Hag’s five worst defeats
ERIK TEN HAG has suffered some heavy defeats during his tenure as Manchester United manager.
5. Copenhagen 4-3 Man Utd, November 2023
The damaging defeat saw the Red Devils dumped out of the Champions League.
4. Man Utd 0-3 Bournemouth, December 2023
It was the first time the Cherries had ever won at Old Trafford with the players being booed off.
3. Brentford 4-0 Man Utd, August 2022
Perhaps a sign of things to come, in Ten Hag’s second Premier League game, his side was dismantled by the Bees.
2. Crystal Palace 4-0 Man Utd, May 2024
The heavy defeat to the Eagles saw the Dutchman edge ever closer to the sack.
1. Liverpool 7-0 Man Utd, March 2023
Man Utd were embarrassed at the hands of their bitter rivals as they crumbled at Anfield as it was the club’s worst defeat in 92 years.
Former Southampton chief and City youth leader Jason Wilcox is the new technical director.
And ex-Chelsea transfer guru Christian Vivell is interim director of recruitment.
O’Boyle’s exit comes after reports claimed United boss Ten Hag was blocked from making a rogue deadline day signing.
After landing Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain, talkSPORT claims Ten Hag tried to re-sign Sofyan Amrabat.
The midfielder struggled to impress on loan at United last term.
But Ten Hag felt the Moroccan could still make a valuable contribution.
Unfortunately for the United boss, his attempts to re-sign Amrabat fell on deaf ears.
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The deal was apparently blocked by Ashworth and Wilcox.
And Amrabat instead ended up leaving Fiorentina for Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce.
What we know about the ‘new’ Old Trafford
MANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.
The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.
The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.
A capacity of 100,000 is expected.
It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.
The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.
United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.
They plan to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a second venue.
They will scale it down to a 30,000-seater that can then be used for the women’s team and academy matches.
That would mean the history remains with statues and the Munich clock and memorial plaque all most likely staying in their current positions.
The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.
Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.
The target is for completion by 2030.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
