Former Manchester United defender David May believes that the players will be 'shocked' to learn of Mike Phelan's dismissal as assistant manager.

The club have announced that Phelan will leave the Premier League champions after five years acting as Sir Alex Ferguson's right-hand man.

"I'm shocked because Mick's been a fantastic servant at the club as a player also as a coach and as a guy," BBC Sport quotes May as saying.

"He's a fantastic guy to have around, I'm sure it'll be a shock to quite a few of the players because he was very well regarded there and I'm sure the lads will miss him."

David Moyes, who will take charge at Old Trafford from July, has revealed that he will be appointing his own backroom team.