Manchester United FC 'signs' Toshiba Medical Systems in five-year deal
Supplier to provide state-of-the-art imaging equipment for new training ground medical centre
Toshiba Medical Systems has become Manchester United Football Club’s official partner in a five-year deal that will see it provide state-of-the-art equipment for a new medical centre at the club’s training ground.
The scanning equipment Toshiba will install at the base in Carrington will help in the screening and early diagnosis of injury, improve player welfare and also facilitate research into early markers of potentially preventable injuries and ways of maintaining player career longevity at elite level.
Having the facility in-house will ensure confidentiality for players with illness or injury, while the enhanced cardiac and general health screening as well as research into early signs of preventable injury will help extend players’ careers and health – something already seen at Manchester United with Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Edwin van der Sar.
Giggs said: “It’s fantastic to have such state-of-the-art equipment at the training ground. I believe the club will be the first to use this equipment as it isn’t available anywhere else in the UK yet. It means that having scans or medicals will be much more convenient as everything is there and to hand.”
Mark Hitchman, Toshiba Medical Systems UK managing director, added: “We realise that to stay at the forefront of diagnostic imaging, you need more than just groundbreaking technology. Manchester United chose our technology primarily because it is best-in-class, but with our additional commitment to providing world-class support, we’ll be helping Manchester United develop the imaging technology that is specific to the club’s unique needs.
And club doctor, Dr Steve McNally, said the systems would offer major benefits to players and medical staff, adding: “We have always been fortunate to enjoy pretty good access to imaging facilities in the locality, but having such equipment on site will be much more convenient and less disruptive in terms of affecting training and rehabilitation programmes. The convenience also means we will have much better opportunities to use imaging as a regular part of our daily routine.”
The biggest benefit long term is expected to be in the field of injury prevention.