Dan Ashworth's shock sacking at Manchester United has had a knock-on effect with Michael Appleton no longer rejoining his old club as loans manager.
Ashworth had lined up Appleton to succeed Les Parry in the loans department, and possibly take on a coaching role, after he moved from Newcastle to become United’s new sporting director in July.
Speculation that Appleton could be appointed to oversee United's young players on loan at other clubs grew in October when he was spotted sitting alongside Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox at Salford City's Peninsula Stadium where the Under-21s were playing Hertha Berlin in the Premier League International Cup.