EXCLUSIVE Man United’s new medical boss Gary O’Driscoll leads overhaul of ‘outdated’ department… as Erik ten Hag’s side are gripped by injury crisis

• The review is led by Gary O’Driscoll, Man United’s new head of sports medicine
• Man United’s first-team has been debilitated by a host of key injuries this season
• Back off Erik ten Hag! Insipid Man United performances are on the players – not the manager – Listen to why on It’s All Kicking Off 

Manchester United are overhauling their medical set-up after launching an internal review into the crucial department.

The audit, led by head of sports medicine Gary O’Driscoll, is underway with a view to modernising the club’s approach and will ultimately result in a range of recommendations being made to INEOS staff once their 25 per cent buyout of the club is ratified.

The news arrives in a season that has seen United’s first-team debilitated by a host of key injuries.

Mail Sport has learned that one of the key proposals from the review will be for United to make a concerted effort to increase diversity – including more BAME, female and multi-faith appointments – within their medical team.

It is understood United have already made two non-white hires to their medical staff in recent weeks.

Gary O’Driscoll (L) was appointed Man United’s head of sports medicine after leaving Arsenal

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Additionally, O’Driscoll is also set to propose the employment of younger practitioners who can implement newer methods and a forward-thinking approach to sports medicine.

The move comes amid concern behind the scenes that United’s rivals are significantly more advanced in terms of sports medicine, putting the Old Trafford club at a disadvantage in terms on-the-pitch performance.

It is likely a number of the club’s current practitioners will find their roles under threat in the long-term, although part of the review is to examine whether existing members can complement the imminent changes as United seek higher standards across their medical science umbrella.

O’Driscoll replaced United’s previous club doctor Steve McNally, who left the club last December to take up a role at the PGMOL, in September this year.

He arrived from Arsenal with a reputation as being one of the most progressive doctors on the Premier League circuit and has extensive experience of top-level sport having worked with the British Lions, Ireland Rugby, Saracens and British Cycling.

O’Driscoll’s modern approach makes him well-suited to revolutionising United’s medical division that numerous insiders have described as ‘out-dated’.

Sources insist the audit is not a direct result of the injuries that have ravaged the team’s prospects this season, but there is a confidence a more modernised approach will ensure a higher percentage of player availability in the future.

Harry Maguire (groin) and Luke Shaw (hamstring) joined the growing cast of walking wounded on Tuesday night, both limping off with suspected muscular injuries during the 1-0 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich – a result that saw them crash out of Europe.

Casemiro, Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof and Amad Diallo are among the players currently unavailable through injury.

Defender Harry Maguire joined Manchester United’s growing injury list on Tuesday night

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Key centre-back Lisandro Martinez is also absent with a recurrence of the foot injury that ruled him out of the final weeks of last season.

The Argentina international made six appearances at the start of this season but it was subsequently decided he would require further surgery after aggravating the issue.

With INEOS, owned by British businessman Sir Jim Ratcliffe, taking over United’s footballing operation once their £1.3billion investment is rubber-stamped, the conglomerate will be at the heart of the changes made to the medical team moving forward.

Director of Sport for INEOS – Sir Dave Brailsford – is set to take up strategic role at Old Trafford and is a major believer in sports science and marginal gains.

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