Manchester United might finally have their replacement for 'magnificent' David Gill

Sir Alex Ferguson described David Gill's departure as a big loss when his Manchester United exit was confirmed.

Gill had spent 10 successful years as chief executive and he was the perfect foil to Ferguson, helping recruitment and overseeing multiple squad overhauls, but he felt it was the right moment to leave.

Ferguson said: "Him stepping down is a big loss to me but the fact that he is staying on the board encourages me that the reason for his departure is heartfelt – that he believes it is time for the club to move on. If I could have found a way of persuading him to stay I would love to have done that. But he has made his decision and I respect him for it."

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Gill said it had been 'the greatest privilege' to serve United for 16 years in total and added: "I have always been conscious of the fact that I was always just a temporary custodian of this marvellous institution.

"I am also of the view that all businesses need to refresh themselves with new management and ideas and after 10 years in charge, I believe it is appropriate for someone new to pick up the baton."

Ferguson retired in the same summer. Unfortunately, the person who picked up the baton was Ed Woodward and he oversaw a decade of failure - just three trophies were won - before leaving in January 2022.

Bristol University graduate Woodward was not qualified to run the football side of the club and around £1billion was wasted on his watch, which his successor wanted to distance himself from.

Richard Arnold, a fellow graduate Bristol University and friend of Woodward, vowed to be different, but that rebrand always seemed like an impossible task given the