Neville 'wants United under-23 boss Wood' to become Salford boss

Salford City co-owner Gary Neville is plotting a raid on former club Manchester United as he has identified under-23 coach Neil Wood as the prime target to become the club's new manager, according to reports.

The League Two club announced on Tuesday that Gary Bowyer, who signed a two-year contract last May, had been relieved of his duties as Salford boss after guiding the Ammies to a 10th-place finish.

It means Neville is now searching for his fourth manager in two years after Bowyer failed to secure promotion to League One. 

The Sun reports Wood is being lined up as Bowyer's successor after Salford missed out on former Portsmouth, Oxford and Lincoln boss Michael Appleton.

Wood, who was on the books at United in his playing career, has been in the under-23 role for three years and is well thought of at Old Trafford.

It appears he is also highly rated by Neville, who will hope landing Wood could further enhance the links between Salford and United.

Jamie Carragher aimed a savage jibe at his fellow Sky Sports pundit when Salford announced the departure of Bowyer.

The former Liverpool and England defender claimed Neville 'puts more people out of work than Boris Johnson' after Bowyer became the latest manager to leave the club.

The 50-year-old is now the third boss to have been sacked by Neville at Salford in two years, following Graham Alexander and Richie Wellens out the door. 

Salford finished seven points adrift of the play-off places under Bowyer, who initially joined the Ammies on an interim basis before he was later appointed to the role on a permanent basis.