Stephen Aziz officially joins Manchester United

Manchester United have been quietly reinforcing their backroom staff as they gear up for a pivotal run of fixtures in the Premier League.

The Red Devils have seen changes across multiple departments this season, with several senior staff leaving and new appointments being made to ensure first-team operations remain smooth.

Clubs across the top flight continue to compete not just on the pitch but behind the scenes, where staff like kit managers and operations personnel play a crucial role in maintaining performance levels.

At Old Trafford, attention to detail has always been a hallmark of the club, from training routines to matchday preparations.

With United looking to blend experienced professionals with fresh talent in all areas, the club has now secured a high-profile addition to its operations team.

The spotlight falls on Stephen Aziz, a former Sunderland and Manchester City kit manager, who has officially joined Manchester United as Senior Kit Manager.

Stephen Aziz, who spent more than 13 years at Sunderland, confirmed the move on LinkedIn, calling it “the pinnacle of an elite football environment” after nearly two decades in professional football.

“Thrilled to share that I have joined Manchester United as Senior Kit Manager,” he wrote.

“It is a huge honour and privilege for myself and my family to take on this role–working closely with the men’s first team predominantly, while overseeing all teams from a kit operations point of view.”

Aziz’s career includes senior kit roles at Middlesbrough and Manchester City, as well as a recent stint at Thermopatch International.

Reflecting on his journey, he said: “After 18 years working in professional football kit departments, this truly feels like reaching the pinnacle of an elite football environment.”

Since joining United, Aziz has praised the integration process, adding: “Over the past two weeks since starting, I’ve been made to feel incredibly welcome and already part of this great club.

“The culture, standards, and people here are second to none.”

On the personal front, Stephen Aziz is relocating with his family to the North West.

“On a personal note, my wife Jen and our two boys, Arlo and Arden, are excited for our relocation to the North West.

“This is our biggest life challenge yet, but one we are ready to give everything to.”

Before United, Aziz spent a year at Avery Dennison and expressed gratitude for his time there: “I also want to say a big thank you to everyone at Avery Dennison, where I’ve spent the last 12 months. It was a short period, but I learned a lot in that time and worked with some brilliant people.”

Aziz is now preparing for life back in the Premier League, with Sunderland scheduled to face United later this season.

“Looking forward to seeing some familiar faces around the Premier League again.

“Ready for the hard work ahead and proud to be part of this club.”