Manchester United has appointed David Sternberg, chief executive of US sports broadcaster Universal Sports Network, a subsidiary of the NBC network, as its new head of media, according to The Telegraph reports SportBusiness. Sternberg, who spent 11 years working with Fox Sports before his move to Universal Sports in April 2010, has already started in his new role, in which he will oversee the Premier League champion's in-house television channel, MUTV, and the club's website, mobile and social networking operations.

Phil Townsend, United's director of communications, is said to be unaffected by Sternberg's appointment, with the American arriving to add his expertise in the sports broadcasting sector.

Sternberg is expected to work from both United's Old Trafford stadium and the club's commercial headquarters in London.