He did well for Everton too..
"Moyes worked with Murtough at Everton, where he was Head of Performance until joining the Premier League in October 2012, and where he played a pivotal part in the academy that produced Wayne Rooney and Ross Barkley"
http://www.espn.co.uk/football/news/story/_/id/1616931/man-united-make-approach-john-murtough
I am pretty sure he did well there else he wouldn't have been kept at United. However, he lacks the experience in the DOF job + he is part of a team Moyes brought in to Evertonise Manchester United, something that caused great rift at OT during the time and lead to people like Phelan leaving or getting sacked. I find it therefore strange that a SAF's loyalist like Ole is would want to promote him of all people.
Not to forget that Murtough's experience rotates mostly with youths, something he's done well at Everton and at United. Why would anyone move someone whose doing well in something so important for us (ie the academy) in a different role? SAF had a god in the youth academy in the name of Eric Harrison. He never moved him from that role didn't he?
The only conclusion I can come out is that we're trying to keep the salary bill as low as possible by not adding new people if we can. I was thrilled we signed Ole but his appointment is also a bit iffy as we all know that Woodward loves the big names. Which can only be answered by one of the following
a- United's financial situation isn't as good as we're think they are.
b- The Glazers are tightening the belt
c- We are at the brink of being sold.