Sir Jim Ratcliffe stings Arsenal as Man Utd chief 'poaches' key Mikel Arteta ally

Manchester United are set to poach Arsenal’s highly-respected physio, Jordan Reece. The Red Devils have made an offer to Reece and final negotiations about his departure date from the Gunners are currently underway.

This move – reported by the Mirror – comes as part of a medical review being undertaken by United’s Dr Gary O’Driscoll, who previously worked at Arsenal and is familiar with Reece’s work. The appointment will be seen as a significant win for the Old Trafford club.

Reece has earned a reputation for his excellent work with players, having been credited for assisting players like Gabriel Jesus through long-term issues. He is considered one of the best in the business.

However, Arsenal are not keen on losing him, especially after they fought to keep O’Driscoll before he left for Old Trafford last season.

United’s poor injury record is something they are determined to address this summer under new monitory shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford. They have already made changes this season, shaking up the medical team which resulted in the departure of some staff. However, the intention was always to make further improvements.

Utd boss Erik Ten Hag has pointed to the club’s injury woes as a significant factor in their underwhelming season, despite their triumph in the FA Cup. The injuries have exposed major issues, largely attributed to the high volume of matches and the physical demands on the players.

The club is now scrutinising training methods and rehabilitation processes, aiming to identify any underlying problems while also seeking top-tier medical expertise. A key issue for United was the constant rotation of central defensive partners, which significantly impacted their form towards the end of the season.

Publicly, United have stated that they are currently evaluating Ten Hag’s position, acknowledging that injuries have influenced the trajectory of his season. Both Manchester United and Arsenal have chosen not to comment on the matter.