Manchester United doctor Steve McNally is leaving the club at the end of January.

The Red Devils are losing their Head of Football Medicine & Science, who has spent the past 16 years at Old Trafford.

McNally is taking up the position of Performance Support Director for PGMOL.

McNally has been with the Red Devils since 2006, when he joined under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson.

He went on to work with five further permanent United bosses, including Davie Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and Erik ten Hag.

McNally said in a statement: “Leaving Manchester United after 16 years was a very difficult decision but I feel the time is right to step away from frontline provision at club level and utilize my experience in a new strategic role that will allow me to contribute to another vital aspect of the game.

“Alongside the directors, managers, players, coaches and colleagues from all departments past and present, I am proud to have been a small part of Manchester United's recent history and thank them all wholeheartedly for their friendship, camaraderie and support.

“I will miss the United family but until I take up my new post, I remain fully focused on helping all our teams build on the first half of this season, in particular Erik and his staff in preparation for the resumption after the World Cup."

United Football Director John Murtough said: “Steve's contribution over the past 16 years has been immense and I'd like to thank him, on behalf of everyone at Manchester United, for everything he has done on and off the pitch for our players, colleagues and the wider club.

“Steve was recently presented with the Fabrice Muamba Award for Outstanding Service to Football Medicine & Performance at the North-West Football Awards, which shows how highly he is regarded across the football community."