At Manchester United our aim is to Win the United Way – and the quality of our behind-the scenes team sets us apart from the competition.

A commitment to work in the Academy is a commitment to providing a world class development and learning environment to prepare our young players for their future within and outside football. As part of a multi-disciplinary team of staff your valued contribution to this is crucial to provide world-class support of our young players.

Football
Providing a world-class football environment for our men’s, women’s and academy teams to deliver long-term, sustainable success on the pitch. Teams within football include coaching, medicine & sports science, kit management, player care & wellbeing, player negotiations, scouting & recruitment, data & analytics and administrative support.

The Purpose:

The successful person will aspire to provide a world-class physiotherapy service to the Professional Development Phase playing staff of Manchester United Academy players and be a developer of young people through their actions and values, contributing across the Academy.
We are looking for the right person who can rehabilitate, educate, inspire and support young players to proactively strengthen and develop their physical robustness and mental resilience to play at the highest level their potential can reach.
Striving to optimise player learning time on the grass and in the gym, the successful person will join a team of staff optimising evidence-based strategies to manage the injuries of our young players and work collaboratively with Athletic Development staff to effectively pursue injury risk reduction and re-injury.

The Role:

Interaction with Players / Departments

Ensure that every individual player is treated as a unique individual and is afforded the highest level of developmental care and attention.
Achieve harmony between the Medical, Coaching, Athletic Development staff, and all other stakeholders through effective communication.
Contribute to a Performance - Coaching relationship that is conducive to developing players to play professional football at the highest levels.
Undertake duties & tasks as directed by the Head of Performance Services whilst working collaboratively with the PDP staff in co-ordinating the Medical programme.
Identify and facilitate appropriate communication methods, to inform and educate players and coaches in the benefits of applied science to performance.
Attend, contribute to and provide regular reports at timely intervals to key stakeholders to support the development of the Academy programme.

Management of Injuries

Contribute to creating a nurturing medical environment, which facilitates both the continued development of the academy player and optimises the healing and rehabilitative phases.
Champion a collaborative, player-centred approach, with a positive attitude to shared decision making to ensure the delivery of best practice in every aspect of the injury management process.
Treat injuries and coordinate on their respective management pathway, collaborating with performance staff to ensure the effective delivery of an evidence-based, performance driven rehabilitation programme.
Employ evidence-based practice and advanced clinical reasoning.
Contribute effectively to the Medical and Physiotherapy team, in relation to daily organisation and provision of the physiotherapy service to the PDP at Manchester United.
Ensure regular updates regarding injury and availability status are communicated to the player, coaching and wider performance staff members.
Assist the Head of Academy Physiotherapy and departmental health professionals in the provision of world-class medical care for the Manchester United playing staff.

Injury Reduction

To undertake periodic health examination (PHE) as part of an accepted club strategy for injury risk mitigation.
Contribute to daily Performance and Medical team meetings, updating on the progress of injured players, availability, and readiness to train.
Support the performance team with the delivery and supervision of pre-activation/injury prevention programmes.
In conjunction with the performance team, facilitate players to complete daily wellness questionnaires and monitor responses as part of a wider injury reduction/readiness to train strategy.

Medical Delivery – Matches/Training/Domestic & International Travel:

Provide physiotherapy and emergency pitch side trauma care for PDP match day (home and away. Travel on club tours and tournament events at the request of the Head Academy Physiotherapist and may be required to stay overnight with the team and/or following match day.
Provide physiotherapy support and emergency pitch side trauma care for PDP training.
Provide training ground rehabilitation support during non-match days and/or when not scheduled for match day cover.

Pre-signing Medicals & Medical Consultations:

Accompany PDP players to medical consultations either domestically or overseas.
To ensure injured player management follows the principles of evidence-based and best practice medicine.
May be required to visit loan players at their host club to check health status and support any ongoing rehabilitative or injury prevention plan.

Professional Standards - Continual Professional Development:

Demonstratable commitment to lifelong learning and personal development via a detailed CPD portfolio.
A desire to strive for excellence, to innovate and inspire others.
Consistently deliver the highest standards of professionalism and clinical care.
Maintain membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). To follow the rules of Professional Conduct and Core Standards of Physiotherapy Practice as stipulated by the CSP.
Maintain accurate documentation and record-keeping, in accordance with the CSP’s Code of Members’ Professional Values and Behaviours.
Maintain a current FA Advanced Trauma Medical Management in Football (ATMMiF) Qualification, including the annual 1-day refresher course
All medical staff within the academy will have DBS clearance. They will be trained in and adhere to Manchester United’s safeguarding policies and procedures
Competence and positive attitude towards the use and incorporation of information technology (IT).

General Responsibilities:

At all times strictly observe, conform to, and comply with the rules, laws, regulations, by-laws, orders, directions, requirements, and decisions of the football authorities of which Manchester United Football Club may at any time be a member.
To maintain compliance with Club Service Standards.
To always demonstrate the highest level of professional conduct.
To undertake other duties as may be reasonably expected.

The Person:

Essential

BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy – 5 years post-graduate experience.
Proven experience in developing young people within a sporting framework.
A positive mindset and outlook within the demands of working in a high-performance environment.
FA Safeguarding
Full DBS/Enhanced Disclosure check
Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).
Member of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Current FA Advanced Trauma Medical Management in Football (ATMMiF) Qualification.
A full, clean UK Driving license.

Desirable

MSc (completed or working towards) in a relevant field to performance, sports science, and medicine. A qualification (MSc or otherwise) in a relevant subject to the role.
Ability to speak a second language.
Experience of working within elite youth football.

If you would you like to join the team and be part of our mission, to win the United way, please submit your application by 17th October 2023.

Manchester United endeavour to respond to all job application, however, please consider that we receive a high volume of applications and this may not always possible.

We recognise the importance of safeguarding children and adults at risk at Manchester United, as part of this commitment this post is required to have a Disclosure and Barring Service check at the appropriate level, as well as full reference history.

Manchester United is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We take affirmative action to ensure equal opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to background, ethnicity, race, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or other legally protected characteristics.

Manchester United Football Club are proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, supporting the armed forces community to transition into careers outside of the armed forces.

Manchester United is committed to working with and providing reasonable adjustments for applicants and employees. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application and perform at your best, please do not hesitate to contact us to make a request; we are here to help.

It is unlawful to employ a person in a UK-based job who does not have permission to live and work in the UK. You should make yourself aware of how immigration laws apply to you before applying for any of our roles. Your personal data will be processed on MU’s behalf by Morson.

Academy Physiotherapist (PDP)