Manchester United director Jean-Claude Blanc has been appointed to the boards of the European Club Association (ECA) and UEFA’s Club Competition (UCC) Board of Administration.
The appointments were confirmed at an ECA Board meeting today in Dublin.
The UCC is a subsidiary of UEFA, with half of the board members appointed by UEFA, and half by the ECA.
Behind the scenes: Hola, Manuel!
UCC’s role is to make recommendations to the UEFA Club Competitions Committee on strategic matters for its consideration before being referred up to the UEFA Executive Committee for approval.
The ECA is officially recognised by UEFA and FIFA as the sole, independent body for football clubs at the European level with a membership of over 650 professional clubs.
Commenting on his appointment, Jean-Claude Blanc, said: “It is an honour to join these important boards and contribute to the effective governance of European club football and its competitions.”
“These appointments demonstrate our commitment to playing a positive role within both UEFA and the ECA and further strengthen the relationships Manchester United enjoys across the European game.”
International Reds: September 2024
Manchester United will be represented on the senior international stage by 15 players this month.
Several of Erik ten Hag’s players are involved in international qualification matches for the UEFA Nations League.
World Cup qualifiers, for the 2026 edition of the tournament, are taking place in South America, while Africa Cup of Nations qualifying is also under way.
Reporting for duty
The Reds are linking up with their respective nations for the upcoming break, as you can see in this gallery.
Goalkeepers Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana have been called up by Turkey and Cameroon respectively, with the former not needing to travel far for the opening game of the campaign, against a Wales side now managed by Craig Bellamy.
Onana will help his nation kickstart their AFCON qualification campaign under experienced coach Marc Brys, who took charge of his first matches in June earlier this year.
Also set for AFCON qualification action is summer signing Noussair Mazraoui, who has been selected for Morocco, and Amad, with the in-form winger earning a recall to Ivory Coast’s squad.
Fellow new additions Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee are in the Netherlands squad, whose schedule includes a high-profile meeting with Germany.
We have double representation in a further three international squads, with Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo selected by interim England boss Lee Carsley for games against Republic of Ireland and Finland.
Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot are in the Portugal squad, as they face Scotland and former team-mate Scott McTominay, while Alejandro Garnacho and Lisandro Martinez will be in action for Argentina.
Watch Ugarte’s signing interview
Reds fans will also have chance to see Manuel Ugarte play for the first time since his move from PSG was confirmed, as he is in Marcelo Bielsa’s squad for qualifiers against Paraguay and Venezuela.
Argentina and Uruguay are currently first and second in the South American standings, with six of 18 games played and the top six sides automatically qualifying for the next World Cup, which is being played across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Young midfielder James Scanlon will be aiming to add to his Gibraltar caps tally, when they take on Andorra and Liechtenstein.
Find a full schedule of when United’s players will be international action below…
LEGENDS: UNITED V CELTIC adcard
Argentina: Lisandro Martinez and Alejandro Garnacho
6 Sep: Argentina v Chile
10 Sep: Colombia v Argentina
Cameroon: Andre Onana
7 Sep: Cameroon v Namibia
10 Sep: Zimbabwe v Cameroon
Denmark: Christian Eriksen
5 Sep: Denmark v Switzerland
8 Sep: Denmark v Serbia
England: Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo
7 Sep: Republic of Ireland v England
10 Sep: England v Finland
Gibraltar: James Scanlon
4 Sep: Gibraltar v Andorra
8 Sep: Gibraltar v Liechtenstein
Ivory Coast: Amad
6 Sep: Ivory Coast v Zambia
10 Sep: Chad v Ivory Coast
Morocco: Noussair Mazraoui
6 Sep: Morocco v Gabon
9 Sep: Lesotho v Morocco
Netherlands: Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee
7 Sep: Netherlands v Bosnia
10 Sep: Netherlands v Germany
Portugal: Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes
5 Sep: Portugal v Croatia
8 Sep: Portugal v Scotland
Turkey: Altay Bayindir
6 Sep: Wales v Turkey
9 Sep: Turkey v Iceland
Uruguay: Manuel Ugarte
7 Sep: Uruguay v Paraguay
10 Sep: Venezuela v Uruguay
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