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Manchester United lose highly-rated academy boss Justin Cochrane with Brentford beating a number of Premier League clubs to appointing the former England youth coach in a first-team position

Manchester United have confirmed the departure of sought-after academy chief Justin Cochrane ahead of his move to Brentford.

Sportsmail revealed earlier on Thursday how a number of United’s Premier League rivals have attempted to prise Cochrane away from United’s youth setup, hoping the lure of a first-team position will boost their chances.

And Thomas Frank is poised to win the race to bolster his backroom staff by adding Cochrane to it as a first-team coach.

Manchester United have confirmed the departure of sought-after academy chief Justin Cochrane

Manchester United have confirmed the departure of sought-after academy chief Justin Cochrane

Cochrane was part of the coaching set up as Man United's U18s won the FA Youth Cup final

In a statement confirming a number of changes to their academy staff structure, United said Cochrane ‘has left the club in order to take up a new position as first-team coach at a Premier League side.