Manchester United chief scout Jim Lawlor and head of global scouting Marcel Bout leave

Manchester United have confirmed scouts Marcel Bout and Jim Lawlor are leaving the club.

Bout, who joined the club as part of Louis van Gaal's backroom staff in 2014, stayed on and was appointed the head of global scouting in 2016.

Lawlor was United's chief scout for 16 years but United have had a dismal recruitment record during recent times.

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A United spokesperson said: "Marcel Bout has departed from his role as head of global scouting after eight years with the club. A respected figure within and outside of Manchester United, Marcel has played an important part as an assistant coach and in the strengthening of our scouting capabilities.

"Jim Lawlor has decided to step down from his role as chief scout in the summer after 16 years with the club. Jim played a key role in the development of multiple trophy-winning teams and was an important source of guidance to Sir Alex Ferguson and each of the managers who followed him."

The decision to retain Bout baffled many as he had assisted Van Gaal during his two years as manager when United made 13 signings, with the back-up goalkeeper Sergio Romero the most successful recruit.

Former executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward justified Bout's role due to his niche for younger targets and familiarity with Dutch talent. Bout scouted Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard in person.

Lawlor was credited for unearthing Javier Hernandez in 2010. The £6million Mexico striker helped United win two Premier League titles in Sir Alex Ferguson's last three years as manager. The former Juventus scout Javier Ribalta left United after only a year in 2018.

The technical chief scout Mick Court was championed by former executive