Erik ten Hag is not the only Manchester United coach facing an uncertain future ahead of the first summer under Ineos control at the Premier League giants.
Despite playing a major role in Marcus Rashford’s best-ever season in 2022/23 – the Carrington graduate becoming the first Red Devil in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era to break the 30-goal barrier – and despite remaining ‘hugely popular’ with the Manchester United squad, a man who arrived at Old Trafford alongside Ten Hag two years ago could be in line for a departure.
ESPN reports that Benni McCarthy’s contract will expire in the summer, and he is yet to be approached by the club about the prospect of signing fresh terms.
It remains to be seen if that changes, however, with Ineos taking a ‘top-down’ approach to their attempted revival of Man United.
Decisions over the club’s coaching staff – such as Ten Hag, McCarthy and Steve McClaren – were always likely to wait until Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Sir Dave Brailsford and co sorted out Man United’s behind-the-scenes structure.
They were always planning to prioritise a new CEO – Omar Berrada – as well as a couple of new directors – Jason Wilcox and Dan Ashworth – before coming to a collaborative conclusion over the futures of those in the Man United dugout. But with those appointments now taking shape, those in the coaching department may be the next to come under threat.
Erik ten Hag and co face uncertain Manchester United futures
McCarthy, the 46-year-old former South Africa international, is a very well-liked figure behind the scenes at Carrington. But, with McCarthy’s role encompassing the club’s forwards, questions may be asked given that Man United have scored fewer goals than Fulham in this season’s Premier League, and as many (45) as Bournemouth and Luton Town.
The one-time Blackburn Rovers and FC Porto striker – who famously helped Jose Mourinho’s side knock Man United out of the Champions League in 2003 – is also keen to take on a managerial role of his own. McCarthy has previously taken charge of Cape Town City and AmaZulu back home in South Africa.
“Benni has been great with me,” Rashford said in March 2023. “Yes, his relationship with me is very good.
“We speak a lot, we are always analysing games and (he is) showing me ways to improve. You know, small things that can help me make more chances, more goals. Maybe create space for other players as well.
“We are doing a lot of work.”
Rashford’soutput has dipped alarmingly during Ten Hag and McCarthy’s second season at Old Trafford, however. After netting 30 last term, he is yet to break into double figures this.
Further changes afoot under Ineos
“I wanted also to find a good balance,” Ten Hag said when explaining his reasoning behind bringing McCarthy to England’s north west. “He is offensive (minded) as he is a former striker. And that is also a really specific job task in the team. I never played there, so I’m lucky to have someone in my staff who played there.
“Football is about scoring. You have a goalkeeping specialist but you also have offensive specialists, and, in particular, we have a specific scoring trainer.
“(McCarthy) has to add that, in details, working and for the rest of us. He has a relationship to all the players in our squad. He also has to work on the togetherness, and he is doing a great job on that.”
Ten Hag has already lost the services of Eric Ramsay. The former first-team coach took up the top job at MLS outfit Minnesota United a few weeks ago.