Ruben Amorim responds as Man Utd sanction new February arrival without him

 Ruben Amorim insists Manchester United's appointment of athletics coach Harry Marra is nothing to do with him.

United have brought in the record-breaking track and field coach, 78, on a a temporary consultancy basis that's expected to last a few weeks. He will offer temporary consultancy aimed at boosting performance.

Owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS collective have grown a reputation in other sports for seeking marginal gains to gain an edge in their varied ventures and are now adopting the same approach at Old Trafford.

Sir Dave Brailsford is understood to have led the push to bring Marra to Carrington, where Marra is sharing insights into athletic elements, specifically running mechanics. Marra is lending his knowledge about speed and endurance to performance staff, with United's interim performance director, Sam Erith, also a driving force in bringing him in, having encountered Marra while working in the United States.

In the run-up to Thursday's Europa League match against FCSB, Amorim faced questions about his role in Marra's appointment. The United boss openly admitted that the decision was made by the club's higher-ups

"It was not me; it was the club," Amorim stated ahead of their last league phase game in Bucharest. "We are always trying to bring experienced people to share the knowledge with the staff and to understand the body and how we can improve our players.

"It was not me. It's not something new; he's not there to coach the team; it's more to coach the staff about the running, etcetera. It's a simple thing we are used to doing to improve as a club."

Marra was seen enjoying United's 2-1 win over Rangers on Thursday alongside Sir Alex Ferguson.

Marra previously coached legendary decathlete Ashton Eaton, who broke world records not once but twice, as well as Brianne Theisen, a heptathlon star with world and Olympic honours. In 2016, he was honoured as the World Athletics Coach of the Year.