Manchester United to lose their COO?! Newcastle eyeing move for senior Red Devils board member as Magpies look to appoint new chief executive

Newcastle are searching for a new CEO to lead the club following the news that Darren Eales would step down from the role after being diagnosed with blood cancer last September. While he will continue in his post until a successor is found, The Telegraph states United's Roche has emerged as one of the candidates for this Magpies position.

The report adds that this Newcastle position has attracted 'considerable interest' and along with Roche, ex-Arsenal CEO Vinai Venkatesham has been linked to the role. The Red Devils board member has assumed a much more 'hands-on role' at the club since the exit of former Magpies sporting director Dan Ashworth late last year; with her work not going unnoticed.

Roche is said to have been a key figure in the £50 million ($64.7m) revamp of United's Carrington training base, and she is also playing a big part in United's new £2bn ($2.5bn) stadium project.

While this continues on behind the scenes, United are preparing to face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League next Tuesday.