Man Utd appoint award-winning 'guru' after Ruben Amorim highlights worrying issue with several players

Manchester United have appointed an award-winning 'guru' after manager Ruben Amorim identified a worrying issue with several of his first team squad.

United have won both of their last two games in all competitions, against Rangers in the Europa League and Fulham in the Premier League.

Although Amorim himself admitted that it was 'not a great performance' against the Cottagers on Sunday, United did at least keep a clean sheet and registered a vital 1-0 away victory by doing so.

In transfer news, United are also closing in on the signing of 21-year-old wing-back Patrick Dorgu after agreeing an initial fee of around £25 million with Serie A side Lecce.

Ruben Amorim has made a key change to his Man Utd backroom staff (Image: Getty)

That is not the only business that the club appear to be doing during the January transfer window, though the other relates to a new appointment to Amorim's backroom staff.

The Times report that United have appointed the American former athletics coach Harry Marra as a consultant, with the 78-year-old set to work with the club's fitness and sports science teams.

Marra was named as the World Athletics Coach of the Year in 2016, after coaching Ashton Eaton to his second Olympic gold medal in the decathlon.

The Athletic claim that Marra's appointment was arranged by United chiefs but that he was a recommendation by Amorim.

Harry Marra was given a Coaching Achievement award in 2016 (Image: Getty)

He is set to use his expertise in a number of key areas, including 'the best way to cover ground with speed and endurance', using his background in athletics coaching and development of new scientific techniques associated with the sport.

Marra was present in the directors' box for United's 2-1 win over Rangers in the Europa League.

It is said that Amorim has privately expressed concern over the general condition of players since he took charge in November and wanted to bring in more assistance to help them adapt to his high-pressing system.