Man Utd's women's team 'frustrated' as ANOTHER member of staff joins men's side

Manchester United’s women’s team have been left frustrated after their head physiotherapist was poached by the men’s set-up.

Ibrahim Kerem had worked as the physio for United women since 2021 but joined Erik Ten Hag’s side last month.

Kerem, who has previously worked with Blackburn Rovers and Australian side Sydney FC, was pictured with Lisandro Martinez this week as the defender works his way back to fitness from a foot injury.

Kerem is the second staff member to move from the women’s camp to the men after performance analyst Luke Wright made the switch to Ten Hag’s side in November last year.

Mail Sport understands there is irritation on the women’s side of the club that another member of staff has left to take up a position with the men.

Ten Hag is not thought to have had any involvement in Kerem’s move, with head of sports medicine Gary O’Driscoll, who is currently undertaking a review of United’s medical department, leading the recruitment.

It is understood that United see the crossover between the two set-ups as healthy rather than detrimental as they continue to build up resources on the women’s side. The club recently installed a new £7million elite facility at Carrington for the women’s team, with players moving into the building in October

United put out an advert for a head physiotherapist three weeks ago. The club are yet to make an appointment but are understood to be close to confirming Kerem’s replacement.

In the meantime, Skinner’s side have had the former Lionesses’ team physio Alicia Tang working with the club as an interim solution. Tang has been with the Football Association since 2016 and was part of the back-room staff during Euro 2022.

United had also been short of an assistant coach to boss Marc Skinner until the appointment of Dan Bale, who joined from Nottingham Forest’s youth team, in November.

Skinner’s previous assistant was Martin Ho, who left to manage Norwegian club Brann in the summer.

Charlotte Healy, who was previously head of the women’s academy, was also promoted to the first team earlier this year.