Manchester United physio Matt Radcliffe leaves club after eight months in charge

Manchester United need to find a replacement for their first-team physio Matt Radcliffe, following his departure less than a year after being appointed to the post.

The Mirror reports that it remains unclear whether Radcliffe was sacked or decided to walk away on his own accord. United had been struggling with a series of injuries to key players last season and his appointment did little to alleviate the situation.

Louis van Gaal has to find a replacement before the players report to training next month. United also have to contend with the Champions League next season, and thus face a considerably increased workload for the upcoming campaign.

United are likely to dive into the market to strengthen the team, with the manager being handed a feisty transfer kitty to invest this summer. They have been heavily linked with moves for Ilkay Gundogan and Morgan Schneiderlin, but a transfer can only be beneficial if players stay fit for the major part of the campaign.

The former Bayern Munich manager complained that he could not select a stable team which affected his title chances, with the likes of Radamel Falcao, Robin van Persie and Luke Shaw remaining unfit for long periods of time. The situation was revealed to be the worst he has ever witnessed in his 30 years of management.

Radcliffe had joined the club in October from Southampton but injury problems kept haunting the 20-time English Champions throughout the length of the campaign. His departure will see his responsibilities being taken over by John Davin for the time being, till a replacement is found.

United start their training on 1 July, with a trip to the United States slated a fortnight later. The Red Devils start their Premier League campaign against Tottenham Hotspur at home on 7 August and have to play a qualifier to progress into the group stages of the Champions League later that month.