Man Utd clear the deck with two major names axed as Ten Hag revolution takes hold

Man Utd have taken the first step towards a root and branch change behind the scenes after relieving two influential figures of their duties, per a report.

Not for the first time in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, Manchester United are at a crossroads. Their on-field fortunes have once again underwhelmed with their latest hammering at the hands of Liverpool drawing stinging criticism from all corners.

The Red Devils remain in the hunt for fourth spot and the riches that qualifying for the Champions League provides.

However, given the manner of some of their recent displays, those chances are relying more on hope than expectation.

United are poised to appoint Ajax boss Erik ten Hag as their next permanent manager. The Dutchman is viewed as a forward-thinking and progressive appointment.

But to truly turn the club’s fortunes around, many have called for sweeping changes behind the scenes.

The club’s recruitment policy has once again come under fire of late. Their two most expensive signings – Paul Pogba and Harry Maguire – have both underdelivered since arriving. What’s more, £89.3m signing Pogba now looks destined to leave for free this summer.

In the aftermath of their Anfield capitulation, Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness lambasted the club’s recruitment since Ferguson left. The Scot claimed that of all the traditional top six teams, United’s has been by far the worst.

But according to the Athletic, Man Utd have finally now addressed the elephant in the room.

They state that United’s two top scouts – Jim Lawlor and Marcel Bout – have both left the club with immediate effect.

Lawlor was United’s most senior scout and had been with the club since 2005. He was promoted to chief scout in 2014.

Bout, meanwhile, arrived