Neville: ‘Change is needed at United’

GARY Neville says it is high time United modernised the structure of the club in light of Jose Mourinho’s power struggle with Ed Woodward this summer.

Mourinho was left frustrated by executive vice-chairman Woodward’s refusal to sanction moves for his desired defensive reinforcements in the transfer market.

And Neville believes the fall-out signals the need for an overhaul of the system in place at Old Trafford.

“Football’s changed. Gone are the days of chairman and manager. There are heads of recruitment, sporting directors, a series of people who are serious people in football clubs now,” Neville said on Sky Sports. “The best operating football clubs in the world – Bayern Munich and Manchester City are, unfortunately, in that bracket now – their operating structure is fantastic and their people are fantastic. Manchester United now have to do the same.”

Woodward has delivered success commercially during his tenure as executive vice-chairman, but results on the pitch have not followed.

And Neville says the club requires more ‘football people’ to oversee the day-to-day running of the sporting side of the club.

“They need serious football people to guide the club,” added Neville.

“What Manchester United have been doing over the past five years is bouncing from one strategy to the other.”