Manchester United’s under-23 coach, Ricky Sbragia, has left the club by mutual consent. The former Sunderland manager has parted company with United in what is expected to be the first of a number of changes in a summer shake-up at Old Trafford.

United’s Under-23s won just eight of their 22 matches last season, finishing sixth in the table, and Sbragia has agreed it is time to move on.

Warren Joyce, United’s reserve team manager for eight years until his departure in 2016, has been linked with the role after recently leaving the Manchester City-owned Melbourne City in Australia, although well-placed sources at Old Trafford suggested that was unlikely at this stage.

Nicky Butt, who heads up United’s academy, is likely to determine the next move, which could involve some restructuring, as they bid to close the gap that has developed at some of the junior ages to rivals such as Manchester City and Chelsea.

Sbragia’s departure marks the end of the 62-year-old Scot’s second spell at United. He spent three years as reserve team coach between 2002 and 2005 before leaving to become first team coach at Bolton Wanderers under Sam Allardyce.