Two Man Utd staff members QUIT as ex-Arsenal and Liverpool men suddenly step down

Manchester United have seen two key members of their medical department step down from their positions as the club continues on its cost-cutting mission under co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Manchester United have seen two members of their medical department quit Old Trafford.

Head of Sports Medicine Gary O’Driscoll is set to depart in addition to senior men’s first-team doctor Jim Moxon, who previously worked for Liverpool. The former joined United from Arsenal just 18 months ago, while Moxon quits after two years to take on another opportunity, it is said.

It was seen as a coup when O’Driscoll made the move to Manchester, having spent 14 years with the Gunners where he also served as chairman of the Premier League Doctors’ Group and as a member of the FA Medical Committee. O’Driscoll has also previously enjoyed spells with Ireland’s rugby union side and with the British and Irish Lions for tours to New Zealand and South Africa.

The lifelong United supporter’s exit comes as a surprise but his farewell, alongside Moxon, is only a coincidence and not connected to the club’s redundancies, report the Mail. It is claimed that the former Arsenal doctor has decided it is the ideal time to step down after implementing changes across the medical department.

The exits are also said not to be connected to United’s injury problems this season. The Red Devils’ squad have suffered more than 60 cases of injury and illness last term and Ruben Amorim is currently without 10 players, with the Portuguese coach not filling his substitutes bench on occasion.

The two medics are set to remain in their roles during the transition to ensure medical support is not impacted. Lisandro Martinez and Amad Diallo are set to miss the rest of 2024/25, while Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte, Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Altay Bayindir and Jonny Evans all remain on the injury list.

United co-owner has outlined the club’s injuries as a reason for Amorim’s struggles since being appointed. He believes the head coach has done an impressive job and has backed him to remain in the hotseat for a long time to come.

“If I actually look at the squad which is available to Ruben, I think he is doing a really good job to be honest,” Ratcliffe told the BBC. “I think Ruben is an outstanding young manager. I really do. He’s an excellent manager and I think he will be there for a long time.

“You are beginning to see a glimpse of what Ruben can produce. I think you saw a glimpse of it against Arsenal. How many players against Arsenal on the bench did you recognise?

“How many have ever worn a Manchester United shirt for [the first team]… as there’s no squad left. We are down to the last 10 or 11 men in the squad really, of proper first-team players. Ruben is doing a super job.”

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