One of the first positions established as a result of a new cooperation between Manchester United and Manchester Metropolitan University’s Institute of Sport would employ artificial intelligence to “create advantage on the pitch”.
The club will collaborate with Manchester Met on a range of short and long-term research and innovation projects aimed at providing insights that may be applied at Old Trafford and Carrington to gain a competitive advantage. The project will be centred on a series of PhD programmes that will allow United to benefit from the Institute of Sport’s expertise.
The first two positions are now up for applications, and they will focus on an AI project and a research study investigating the prevalence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in women’s sports.
The primary goal of the project is to “develop deep insights into the technical, tactical, and physical demands of elite football match-play using AI to create advantage on the pitch.” The individual will work across United and the institution, applying “cutting-edge AI techniques to data captured in game situations.”
The second role will see a three-year studentship where the student will work inside the women’s first squad at United to examine ACL injuries and how they can be avoided.
Richard Hawkins, the club’s director of football insights and innovation, and deputy football director Andy O’Boyle oversaw the effort, which was agreed upon with the university last year and comes before INEOS’s entrance as a minority shareholder in the team.
United’s football director, John Murtough, stated: “We are continually aiming to be at the forefront of innovation and improvement in football performance, and this initiative will strengthen those efforts.
“Working with the Institute of Sport will build on our excellent existing research and innovation teams in order to further enhance the performance and development support that we are able to provide for our players.”
The initiative will also allow students to collaborate with United through mentorship and work experience programmes, while club professionals will provide guest lectures and seminars at the institution.
Professor Tim Cable, director of the Institute of Sport, stated, “Our collaboration with Manchester United has enabled us to attract world-class talent to Manchester while also bringing our critical mass and cutting-edge scientific research to address the club’s performance needs.”
“Through the Institute and its global scientific network, the initiative will give the club with an additional layer of intelligence about the most recent advancements in performance science within the context of player development.
“The project will enable the Institute’s experts to work closely with club staff to address multidisciplinary performance challenges, further strengthening Manchester United’s football operations.”
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