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Following the end of a disappointing season, Manchester United’s staff is already undergoing massive changes.
The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell reported this morning that Man United’s head of medical services, Gary O’Driscoll, is set to leave the club, along with first-team doctor Jim Moxon.
“O’Driscoll, highly respected, is believed to feel his ability to drive change was limited,” Whitwell noted. Sadly, it appears that one player that the medical staff has struggled to assist is full-back Luke Shaw.
“Shaw has been a subject of attention for the department. He went from February 2024 to April this year without starting for United. He made three appearances in eight days in Amorim’s first matches in charge but suffered a recurrence of his hamstring issue and then, when close to a return, had a setback in February,” the article continued.
“At that point, he chose to do his recovery in Doha, Qatar, in part due to dissatisfaction with treatment and privacy at United. He spent a few weeks in the Middle East with chosen physios, while United, in full agreement for a change of scene, sent a staff member to assist.”
Despite starting in United’s UEFA Europa League final defeat, Shaw has since suffered an injury relapse, forcing him out of yesterday’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa.
But according to Whitwell, it’s not only Shaw’s persistent injury woes that have raised questions about the medical team’s capabilities.
“At times, Amorim has walked players through tactical sessions rather than asking for strenuous effort. But muscle problems have continued, with Joshua Zirkzee, Dalot and Collyer again missing games,” Whitwell noted. “All three were back for the Europa League final, though, with Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt the only injuries, both through impact collisions.”
Still, O’Driscoll and Moxon are not the only casualties of staff cuts. “In April, interim performance director Sam Erith told staff in a meeting how his role would be made permanent, but cuts to physios and masseurs would be coming, albeit postponed so as not to affect the players during the run-in. The announcement did nothing to lift the mood,” The Athletic article continued.
Currently, United’s defence is riddled with injuries. In addition to Shaw’s and Martinez’s setbacks, Noussair Mazraoui came off early in the Villa game due to a hamstring strain, while Diogo Dalot was also pulled out of action.
Given these latest injury concerns, such medical staff changes do not come as a surprise.
Still, it should be considered that some players have proven to be injury-prone and perhaps impossible to save, no matter how competent United’s medical team may be.
While a loyal servant to the club for many years, Shaw is one such player. Despite his undeniable contributions and talent, it appears that the time has come to part ways with him, given his inability to remain fit.
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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