SUPPORTERS CALL FOR FRESH APPROACH AS JOSE DEPARTS

MANCHESTER United must use the departure of Jose Mourinho to undertake a wholesale change of approach to football decision-making, according to a leading supporters’ group. The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust reacted to news of Mourinho’s sacking yesterday by welcoming suggestions the club will now install a director of football and calling for more independence on that side of the business. MUST has been a longstanding critic of United’s American owners and made clear it felt blame needed to be shared for recent struggles. “We all understand that the role of football manager is a results-based position and clearly the results have not been satisfactory,” a spokesperson for MUST said. “To achieve the longterm expectations of our supporters this needs to be a catalyst for a fundamental review of the football operation to reset our culture and playing philosophy, then restructuring the football operation, appointing a manager and investing significantly in player transfers consistent with that philosophy.” MUST went on to call for more football expertise in key positions. “Clearly times have changed since Sir Alex Ferguson ran the club from top to bottom and a director of football role must be a key consideration to lead that process,” the statement added. “We’d like to see funds for team investment ring-fenced and independence given to football appointments.”