Manchester United Step Up Search For New Academy Chief

Manchester United will step up their search for a new academy director and hope to have the post filled by the summer.

The position has been vacant since Brian McClair left for a role with the Scottish FA in June 2015 and it is understood the club have made restructuring their junior department a priority as they feel they have fallen behind teams such as Chelsea and Manchester City in that area.

United's U18s have lost 10 of their past 11 games with their sole victory coming in the FA Youth Cup, a competition to which they return on Friday when they face Chelsea.

U19s coach Nicky Butt has been offered a contract to continue at the club in a coaching capacity but the club plan to take their time over naming a new academy chief because of the importance of the appointment.

United want to bring in someone with a proven track record in coaching and also administration, the business side of the game and the recruitment of players.

Credit: Skysports.com