Manchester United football director John Murtough says a “thorough process” is beginning to choose the club’s next permanent manager.

And that the club is committed to competing for “top honours” once more.

Despite the return of superstar striker Cristiano Ronaldo to Old Trafford, United has faced another challenging season, according to the club’s latest financial numbers released on Tuesday.

Domestically, the most the English giants can hope for is a top-four finish, but they only achieved a draw against lowly Watford on Saturday and are only two points ahead of West Ham and Arsenal – the Gunners also have three games in hand.

United’s next schedule includes games against title contenders Manchester City and Liverpool, as well as the second leg of their Champions League tie with Atletico Madrid, which is now tied at 1-1.

The team, which has not won a trophy since 2017, has been led by interim manager Ralf Rangnick since December, when the German took over for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following a terrible start to the season.

Murtough was encouraged by the “better results” as they seek Champions League qualifying.

“We understand that consistency is critical as we aim for a top-four finish this season,” he added.

“However, I want to emphasize that this is not Manchester United’s ultimate goal, and everyone at the club is focused on competing for the top titles.”

“We are now undergoing a comprehensive process to recruit a new permanent manager who will take over this summer, with the goal of getting us back to competing for those domestic and European crowns.”

Mauricio Pochettino of PSG and Erik ten Hag of Ajax are among the frontrunners to follow Solskjaer on a permanent basis.

Richard Arnold mirrored Murtough’s comments as the CEO spoke publicly for the first time since taking over on February 1 following the departure of executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

“We have a clear vision, and we’re implementing a winning plan with an empowered leadership team to move it forward,” he added.

“Through a world-class football environment, we will create an excellence culture while increasing the role of supporters at the core of the club.”

The club paid £10 million ($13.4 million) in “extraordinary items” in the second quarter of fiscal 2022, which ended December 31, including pay to former manager Solskjaer and some members of the coaching staff.

The numbers reveal a £5.4 million operational profit for the quarter, with total revenue of £185.4 million — a 7.3 percent increase over the same period last year, with fans returning to stadiums following the coronavirus closure.

United’s net debt has climbed by 8.6 percent to £494.8 million, while salaries have increased by 19.6 percent to £97.7 million “owing to investment in the first team playing squad.”

Gabriel Agbonlahor, a former Aston Villa player. Has said that Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo’s age has finally caught up with him.

Ronaldo’s legs are worn, according to Agbonlahor, who added that the 37-year-old isn’t giving anything offensively. And doesn’t need to start every Man United game.

Ronaldo has become Man United’s top scorer in all competitions this season after rejoining the club from Juventus in the summer of 2021.

“Watching Ronaldo right now will be excruciating for many Manchester United supporters.” He’s 37; he’s outperformed most footballers by five or six years, but you can’t avoid aging. “Age comes up with everyone, and it appears like Ronaldo has caught up.” Agbonlahor told Football Insider.

“His legs are fatigued; he does not appear to be as swift and sharp in getting playearound rs.” He’s also not a front-of-the-room presser. With all of that, it doesn’t make sense for him to continue,” he explained.

“But who else do they have?” he continued. They don’t have many other alternatives. Unless Rashford is used as a striker or a false nine.

“It’s a major concern for Manchester United if they have Ronaldo and Cavani as possibilities up front next season.”

Lobi Stars of Makurdi’s head coach, Eddy Dombraye has expressed his worry over his wife and child’s safety in Ukraine.

Last Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a military invasion on Ukraine.
More than 660,000 people, mostly women and children, have fled Ukraine to neighbouring countries in the last six days since Russia invaded, the U.N. refugee agency said on Tuesday.
Thousands of Nigerians have also been attempting to flee to neighboring countries, with Putin showing no signs of withdrawing his soldiers.
On Monday, Eddy told TheCable that his wife and 5-year-old child were stuck at a train station in Ukraine while attempting to flee to Poland.

“They were supposed to catch the train from Boryspil which is about 15 kilometers away from Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, but the train was cancelled. They are currently looking for a different alternative,” he said.

“The train was supposed to move by 11 am this morning (Monday) but it was cancelled. I have been in touch with them every minute to work on alternatives.”
The 42-year-old left Ukraine in September 2021 for Nigeria after being hired as the head coach of the Lobi Star.

Dombraye is a father of two and he claims that his wife and two children were scheduled to fly to Nigeria on Sunday, but their trip was canceled owing to the issue.

“I have two kids and one of them is in Poland. He is a Polish citizen while the other one who is 5-year-old is currently with my wife,” he added.
“I followed the crisis on CNN since the first day it started. My wife and I thought the war will not escalate as we never anticipated it was ever going to happen. Even my wife said there would be no fight or war. Now, she is blaming herself and I am also blaming myself, wishing they had relocated earlier.
“The worst part of it is that she has a Nigeria visa already. She was supposed to return as her flight originally was supposed to be yesterday to Nigeria, so, everything is so painful.
“We were both residing there. I have lived there since 2002. I based there like a dual citizen but moved down to Nigeria when I got the job as Lobi Star head coach in Nigeria. I have always wanted to come to Nigeria to coach. so, when I returned to Nigeria, I asked my wife to hold on for a few months until I am properly settled in the new space.
“Their flight was supposed to be yesterday. I returned to Nigeria on 6th of September 2021 as Lobi Stars football coach of Makurdi in the Nigerian Professional Football League ( NPFL).”

In addition, the former Nigerian international expressed anxiety over his helplessness to save his family, saying, “This is the worst thing that can happen to any parent.”