Steve McNally (doctor)

Steve McNally is a British medical doctor and the Head of Sports Medicine and Science at Premier League football club Manchester United. In December 2023 he left and joined up the team of English PGMOL referees McNally joined the Liverpool F.C. Academy as their medical official in 1998.[1] In 2002, he began working with the England youth international squads as well as at Liverpool.[1]

In July 2006, McNally replaced Mike Stone as the senior club doctor at Manchester United.[1] Stone had been at the club since 1999.[2] McNally works alongside the Head of Human Performance, Richard Hawkins, and is supported by a medical team including Lead First Team Physiotherapist Richard Merron and assistant first-team club doctor Tony Gill as well as First Team Physiotherapist Jonathan Picot and First Team Rehabilitation Physiotherapist John Davin . He works out of the Trafford Training Centre in Carrington, Greater Manchester, and in 2013 new multi-million-pound medical and sports science facilities were opened at the training centre.[3] McNally has received praise from former manager Sir Alex Ferguson and United players for his treatment of injuries at the club,[4] including managing Rio Ferdinand's back problems and Darren Fletcher's illness.[5][6]

McNally has found himself at the centre of disputes between Manchester United and the England national football team over the treatment of injuries, and United being unhappy with the England set-up publicly releasing details of player injuries.[7] His staff were also involved in a public argument over the treatment of injuries suffered by Owen Hargreaves, who appeared to criticise United's medical team after departing the club in 2011.[8] United strongly backed their medical staff, and considered taking legal action against Hargreaves.[9]

  1. ^ a b c Hibbs, Ben (4 July 2006). "Reds appoint new club doctor". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  2. ^ "United sack Rooney doctor". The Daily Telegraph. 24 May 2006. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  3. ^ "United and Toshiba Medical Systems unveil new medical facilities". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). 11 March 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  4. ^ McDonnell, David (20 October 2013). "Wayne Rooney and co braced as Sir Alex Ferguson admits he will upset high-profile stars in his autobiography". The Irish Mirror. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  5. ^ Jackson, Jamie (18 March 2013). "Sir Alex Ferguson shows his influence again over Rio Ferdinand saga". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  6. ^ "Manchester United's Darren Fletcher returns after illness". BBC Sport. 28 October 2013. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  7. ^ Herbert, Ian (9 February 2013). "TV is killing Manchester United's Champions League chances, says Sir Alex Ferguson". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2022-05-25. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  8. ^ Taylor, Daniel (23 September 2011). "Sir Alex Ferguson rejects Owen Hargreaves's injury claims". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  9. ^ Rumsby, Ben (22 October 2013). "Owen Hargreaves lacked determination to overcome his injuries and was a 'disaster' for Manchester United". The Telegraph. Retrieved 11 July 2014.