United's preparations for the new season have also been boosted
by the signing of Tony Strudwick, a highly regarded fitness coach,
whom they have enticed from Blackburn Rovers.
This development follows the abrupt and acrimonious departure of
Valter di Salvo, the United fitness coach, to Real Madrid last
month - but United have moved quickly to replace him, with
Strudwick having begun his new job on Saturday.
'Blackburn, for their part, are understood to be disappointed by
the timing of the man Mark Hughes, the manager, credits with
turning his squad into the fittest in the top flight, but the clubs
are working on a compensation package that would at least go some
way towards smoothing relations with their rivals in the North
West.'
