By mutual consent, Patrick Stewart, interim Chief Executive Officer, and Cliff Baty, Chief Financial Officer, have decided to leave the club at the end of the season. Patrick will be replaced as CEO by Jean-Claude Blanc until the arrival of Omar Berrada on 13 July. Cliff Baty will be replaced as CFO by Roger Bell. 

Joel Glazer said: “I would like to thank Patrick and Cliff for their dedicated service to Manchester United and wish them well for the future. Both have been a source of invaluable advice and expertise over many years, and Patrick has served an important role as interim CEO during this transitional phase.”  

Sir Jim Ratcliffe commented: “I would like to personally thank both Patrick and Cliff for their support in helping us get to know the club and making us feel welcome and I respect their decisions to now move on as we establish a new management team for the club.”

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HARRY MAGUIRE: 6 apps / 2 goals

A model professional, Harry scored twice in April and, at times, was the Reds’ only fit senior centre-back, amid our ongoing injury worries.

Raphael Varane, Willy Kambwala and Casemiro all played at the heart of defence across the month but Maguire was an ever-present.

The 31-year-old also contributed at the other end of the pitch too. Maguire scored a header in the FA Cup semi-final victory over Coventry, before showing his class ton and off the pitch in the topsy-turvy Wembley tie, and then netting against his boyhood club Sheffield United in our 4-2 Premier League triumph over the Blades.

Winner of the Premier League’s Player of the Month award in November, this is the second time Maguire has been nominated for our monthly star-man award this term.

VOTE FOR YOUR PLAYER OF THE MONTH BELOW – THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON FRIDAY.

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“A lot of Liverpool supporters were descending on Anfield at that time,” remembers Edwards, “and some of them were asking us: ‘What are you doing here?’ But we got chatting to them and explained that we wanted to come and pay our respects. And then the jungle telegraph got going, and word went around that there were hundreds of United supporters descending on Anfield!”

Afterwards, the supporters were welcomed into one of Anfield’s lounges by then Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish. Barry Moorhouse, United’s membership secretary, handed over one of Bryan Robson’s no.7 jerseys, signed by all the first-team players, which was subsequently auctioned to support the Hillsborough disaster appeal. 

Dalglish later told the Echo: “This is a magnificent gesture, and it will do so much to show the families of those who died how much football supporters everywhere really care. We all know that the supporters of our two clubs have not always got on. The situation had become worse over the last few years and it was unhealthy. That is why this gesture is so touching.”

Hillsborough had, of course, reminded many United fans of the 1958 Munich Air Disaster – the darkest day in our own history. Within the report, Andrew referred to these two unthinkable, traumatic episodes as a shared ‘bond’ that made us ‘inseparable friends’.

Sadly, the clubs did not remain inseparable for long.

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A winger’s job is no longer just about the attacking third, with defensive work rate also being a key trait that is valued by managers, team-mates and fans.

Antony has this in abundance and, as he looks to kick on at United, the winger is determined to show his best for the Reds.

“Football is changing a lot and playing at a big club today, playing at United, you have to do this work,” he said.

“Attacking and defending, for me personally, it’s absolutely no problem, the important thing is the team winning.

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MATCH DETAILS

United: Harrison; Ogunneye, Aljofree, Jackson, Amass; McAllister, Curley (Devaney, 56); Forson, Mather (Scanlon, 81), Williams (Murray, 86); Wheatley (McNeill, 82).

Subs not used: Kingdon.

Booked: McAllister, Amass, Devaney.

Goals: Wheatley 21, 23, Williams 62, 80, McNeill 85, Mather 60.

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