Manchester United’s transfer business is picking up pace, and it seems like their staffing recruitment has completed a coup of their own.
The Athletic reports that Arsenal’s highly-regarded doctor Gary O’Driscoll is on his way to Old Trafford after 14 years at the London club.
It is being regarded as a great appointment for the Red Devils who have had a tough time with the injury gods in recent seasons.
So, who is Gary O’Driscoll, and what job profile can be expected of him at United? Here’s a look-
Who is Gary O’Driscoll?
52-year-old Gary O’Driscoll is the current Head of Medical Services at Arsenal, a role that he has held for the last six years.
He initially joined the Gunners as a club doctor in 2009, making it a total of 14 years spent at the club.
He came to Arsenal from Ireland, where he was a club doctor from 1999 to 2009.
During his time at Arsenal, he has become a highly-rated medical professional, as evidenced by the plethora of interest in his services from rival clubs.
The Athletic reports that Liverpool tried to sign him in 2020, only for him to reject their advances and stay instead. The report states that other teams have also attempted to hire him in the past.
Gary O’Driscoll at Manchester United- What to expect?
He is expected to join the club “later this summer”, as reported by The Athletic. His move to United is somewhat of a homecoming.
O’Driscoll was born and brought up in Manchester so this gives him a chance to be closer to home.
Furthermore, United’s previous incumbent in the role, Steve McNally, departed the club in December 2022 so Gary O’Driscoll will be filling huge shoes.
McNally was at the club for 16 years and has now become the Performance Support Director at the PGMOL.
Currently, the position left by McNally is held by Jim Moxon on an interim basis, who is expected to stay after O’Driscoll’s appointment.
According to The Athletic, his “professional credentials, experience, personality, and character” made him the favourite for the role.
United’s workload was at an all-time high last season and navigating it with a doctor on interim basis was not ideal.
With Gary O’Driscoll’s appointment, the club finally has an established and highly-regarded name in the field on a permanent basis.
While it’s not an appointment as flashy as a new signing on the pitch, it has the potential to be transformative off the pitch, directly leading to better results on the pitch in the long run.