The renewal of Ratcliffe is progressing: Murtough is leaving as director of football

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's transformation of Manchester United has gained momentum after John Murtough, the club's director of football, resigned from his post and left the club.

Ratcliffe's INEOS group now controls football operations at Old Trafford after acquiring a minority stake of 27.7% from the Glazer family, the club's majority shareholder, in February.

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Having already taken steps to hire Manchester City's Omar Berrada as United's new CEO, and negotiations underway with Newcastle United and Southampton respectively for Dan Ashworth (Sporting Director) and Jason Wilcox (Technical Director), INEOS is looking to make sweeping changes to the club before next season.

The future of manager Erik ten Hag is also in doubt – ESPN have reported that United are assessing the qualities of Gareth Southgate, Roberto De Zerbi, Thomas Frank and Gary O'Neil – while INEOS has also appointed financial consultancy Interpath to oversee a cost estimate. Savings campaign at Old Trafford, which already includes the blocking of all company credit cards for department heads.

Murtough, who has previously worked with Everton, Fulham and the Premier League, joined United in 2013 after being hired by then manager David Moyes to rebuild the club's football structure behind the scenes.

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He was subsequently promoted to director of football in 2021 by former CEO Ed Woodward, with former United midfielder Darren Fletcher appointed technical director at the same time.

Fletcher is expected to remain at United despite Murtough's departure and the impending appointments of Ashworth and Wilcox, in a role linking the first team and academy that will be confirmed in the summer.