UNITED EXODUS GATHERS PACE

THE Manchester United exodus continues with chief of staff Patrick Coyle leaving Old Trafford to become the PFA’s chief operating officer. Coyle’s appointment is a coup for the players’ union and is set to be confirmed next week. He joins a lengthy list of senior staff to quit United since the departure of executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward in February, with chief transfer negotiator Matt Judge and head of corporate finance Hemen Tseayo both working their notice, and chief scout Jim Lawlor and head of global scouting Marcel Bout having left already. Director of communications Charlie Brooks has also stepped down and there is turmoil in the coaching ranks, with the futures of Ralf Rangnick’s staff including Chris Armas, analyst Ewan Sharp, psychologist Sascha Lense and long-serving assistant Mike Phelan uncertain when Erik ten Hag takes over. United have already had one coaching clearout this season, with Michael Carrick, Kieran McKenna and Martyn Pert leaving after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked in November.