Arsenal physio Jordan Reece is set to join Manchester United. He will follow previous Gunners medical expert Gary O’Driscoll in moving to Old Trafford.
United have made an offer to poach the highly-respected Reece from their Premier League rivals and final negotiations are taking place about his departure date. Under Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos investment group United are in the middle of a club-wide review including the medical department after being hit with a catalogue of injury problems which blighted their whole season.
O’Driscoll is carrying out this specific part of the assessment and knows Reece from his time at the club. United see the appointment as as a huge positive for the new hierarchy.
Reece has gained a reputation for working well with players and was credited for helping those like Gabriel Jesus through long-term issues and is regarded as one of the best in the game. Arsenal are reluctant to lose him, having fought to keep O’Driscoll before he left for Old Trafford last season.
United had a shocking injury record and is something they were determined to address this summer under new monitory shareholders Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford. They have already made changes this year and have shaken up the medical team which saw the departure of key staff but the intention was always to make further adjustments and improvements.
United boss Erik ten Hag blamed the injury list for his side’s disappointing season, despite the FA Cup success. The fitness issues highlighted major problems partially down to the sheer number of games but also the demands made of players.
They are looking at training methods, rehabilitation and are trying to understand any underlying issues but also wish to get the best in class from a medical perspective. United’s biggest problem area was in defence where they constantly changed central partners.
