Manchester United fear they could lose academy boss Justin Cochrane to Premier League rivals

Manchester United are facing a battle to retain academy chief Justin Cochrane amid growing interest in the sought-after coach from their Premier League rivals.

Sportsmail understands a number of top flight clubs are attempting to prise Cochrane away from United’s youth setup, hoping the lure of a first-team position will boost their chances.

Former Tottenham and England youth coach Cochrane joined United last summer as their head of player development and coaching, a title that gave him an overseeing role in their academy responsible for the development of all of United’s under-17s to 23s.

Premier League clubs are interested in offering a coaching role Manchester United’s youth chief Justin Cochrane

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

The 40 year-old was part of the coaching setup as United won the FA Youth Cup for the first time since 2011 and been praised for the positive impact he has had on both the club’s players and existing coaches.

With that added to his previous work, Cochrane is now in the sights of a number of United’s Premier League rivals.

Clubs are increasingly looking to coaches with development backgrounds and proven track records in improving players and Cochrane is one such figure who fits the bill.

Cochrane (R) made his name as a coach at the FA, working with England’s youth sides

Before that he had been given a chance to learn the ropes under Scott Parker with Tottenham’s Under-19 side

London-born Antigua and Barbuda international Cochrane had a 13-year playing career which began at QPR and included spells at Crewe and Rotherham.

He held a series of youth team coaching roles at Spurs from their under-12s up to the under-23s, helping develop the likes of current youngsters Japhet Tanganga, Oliver Skipp and Dane Scarlett but also many others who have flourished after leaving Spurs including PSV’s Noni Madueke and Sporting Lisbon’s Marcus Edwards.

Cochrane then joined the FA from Spurs, coaching their under-15s through to under-17s and was interviewed for the under-21 job and offered first-team managerial roles before being persuaded to return to club football full-time by United.

Cochrane’s departure could be one of many at Old Trafford following the arrival of Erik ten Hag

Were Cochrane to be tempted away, his exit would be the latest in a string of departures behind the scenes at United, with a number of coaching changes made at both first team, connected to the arrival of manager Erik ten Hag, and also youth team level.

From the academy, Neil Wood left his role as under-23s lead coach to become first team manager at League Two Salford City.

Neil Ryan, who was under-23s assistant, also departed to become a national coach with the FA.