Former chief executive of Saatchi & Saatchi Lee Daley has left his role as commercial director of Manchester United football club after just four months in the role.

The departure, just a week into the football season, is sudden, although the club said that it was by "mutual consent".

Mr Daley, who resigned from his role at Saatchi & Saatchi in February, had been on the hunt for a global marketing group - such as WPP, Omnicom and Publicis - to drive the club's digital fan base to 50 million.

Mr Daley had a seat on the board alongside joint chairmen Joel and Avram Glazer, as well as other Glazer family members Bryan, Darcie, Edward and Kevin, together with chief executive David Gill and chief operating officer Michael Bolingbroke.

He was responsible for all of the club's commercial plans including sponsorship, media, financial services and marketing.

A statement from the football club confirmed Daley's departure. Mr Gill said: "Everyone at Manchester United wishes Lee the very best for the future."

Mr Daley was not available for comment.

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