Manchester United staff profiles
Written by Simon Austin — March 30, 2018
Pen pics of Manchester United's coaching, science, medicine and analytics staff. To see staff profiles for other clubs, click here.
FOOTBALL EXECUTIVES
EXECUTIVE VICE-CHAIRMAN
Ed Woodward
Nationality: English
Advised the Glazer family on their takeover of the club in 2005. Was then appointed to a financial planning role before becoming head of commercial and media operations in 2007. Promoted to executive vice-chairman in 2012, with chief executive responsibilities. Has ultimate power over transfers and senior appointments to the first-team staff.
FOOTBALL DIRECTOR
John Murtough
Nationality: English
Joined the club in November 2013, having previously been Head of Elite Performance for the Premier League. As Head of Football Development at United, he oversaw the Academy and led expansion of scouting department and network. Also led on some special projects, such as development of data science. In March 2021, Murtough was promoted to new role of Football Director, which sees him providing "overall leadership and responsibility for operations and strategy across all football functions."
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Darren Fletcher
Nationality: Scottish
Made more than 340 appearances for the club as a player. Worked with the U16s for a few months before being appointed first-team coach in January 2021, then promoted to Technical Director in March 2021. Role sees him "contributing to the communication and delivery of our football philosophy across all areas of the club."
DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL NEGOTIATIONS
Matt Judge
Nationality: English
Like Woodward, he attended Bristol University and was an investment banker with JP Morgan. His previous job title at the club was Head of Corporate Development, which involved negotiations for transfers and contracts. In March 2021 this was changed to Director of Football Negotiations, which more accurately reflects what he does. Reports into Murtough.
DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL OPERATIONS
Alan Dawson MBE
Nationality: English
Has a low profile, but influential and respected. An Oxford University graduate who joined in April 2012 after 17 years with the Royal Air Force, including three years as a squadron commander. Oversees management of first-team staff and operations.
STRATEGY EXECUTIVE
Chris Chiang
Nationality: English
Joined United in October 2017 at the age of 27. Previously worked for accountancy giant KPMG for five years and has emerged as an important figure at the club.
COACHING
MANAGER
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Nationality: Norwegian
Legendary player for the club, scoring 91 goals in 235 games - including winner in 1999 Champions League final. Brought in on loan from Molde as caretaker manager after Jose Mourinho was sacked. Position was made permanent at the end of March.
ASSISTANT
Mike Phelan
Nationality: English
Played at United under Sir Alex Ferguson and then worked for him for 12 years during the most successful period in the club's history. Was the Scot's first-team coach from 2001 and then assistant from 2008 to 2013. Initially brought in on an interim basis from Central Coast Mariners, before his role was made permanent in May 2019.
ASSISTANT
Martyn Pert
Nationality: English
Was appointed in September 2019 and has a compelling story, having gone from being management accountancy student at Loughborough to United assistant, with tales of Marcelo Bielsa and Shaquille O'Neal along the way. Holds the Uefa Pro Licence and a Masters in sports science. Was assistant at Vancouver White Caps in the MLS before joining United.
FIRST-TEAM COACH
Michael Carrick
Nationality: English
Retired at the end of the season after 12 years as a United player. Won five Premier League titles and the Champions League. Holds the Uefa Pro Licence and Mourinho sees him as an important link with the players.
FIRST-TEAM COACH
Kieran McKenna
Nationality: Northern Ireland
Appointed at the end of 2017/18 after Mourinho reshuffled his backroom team following the exit of Rui Faria. Joined from Spurs in August 2016 to coach the U18s and has built a good reputation.
SENIOR GOALKEEPER COACH
Richard Hartis
Nationality: English
Was Head of Academy Goalkeeping at United from 2000 to 2010. Worked with first team in 2007/8, when they won the Premier League and Champions League. Worked on Solskjaer's staff at Cardiff and Molde and brought back to Old Trafford by the Norwegian in June 2019. Appointed June 2019.
GOALKEEPER COACH
Craig Mawson
Nationality: English
Was a youth player for Burnley but never featured in the first team for the Clarets. Returned to Turf Moor as U18s coach in 2010 and progressed to Head of Academy Goalkeeping and then the first team. Appointed by United in December 2019.
SET PIECES & INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT
Eric Ramsay
Nationality: Welsh
Joined United from Chelsea, where he was U23s assistant, in July 2021. Previously worked for Shrewsbury, where he was first-team coach, and is regarded as one of the best young coaches in the country. Youngest British coach to gain the Uefa Pro Licence when he did so in September 2019 at the age of 27.
GOALKEEPER COACH
Alan Fettis
Nationality: Northern Irish
The former Northern Ireland international joined United from Sunderland in July 2011. Worked with the U23s until being seconded to the first team in September 2019 following the departure of Emilio Alvarez.
PERFORMANCE
HEAD OF HUMAN PERFORMANCE
Richard Hawkins
Nationality: English
Joined United in 2008, having been Head of Sports Science at the Football Association and West Brom. In charge of United's physiology testing lab.
LEAD SPORTS SCIENTIST
Ed Leng
Nationality: English
Officially joined in June 2019 from Melbourne City, where he had been Head of Sports Science since June 2015. Prior to that worked for Tottenham's Academy for six years. Replaces Robin Thorpe, who left for Altis in April.
SENIOR SPORTS SCIENTIST
David Kelly
Nationality: English
At Barnsley and Darlington before joining United in 2010. Monitors training loads using tools such as GPS.
STRENGTH & POWER COACH
Michael Clegg
Nationality: English
Made 15 starts for the club as a full-back between 1996 and 2002. His father (also called Mike) was power and conditioning coach for United between 2000 and 2011. The former Sunderland S&C coach was appointed by United in July 2019.
SPORTS SCIENCE & FITNESS
Paolo Gaudino
Nationality: Italian
Studied for a PhD at Liverpool John Moore's University before getting a job at United in July 2012. Praised by Matteo Darmian for helping him settle into the club.
FITNESS COACH
Charlie Owen
Nationality: English
Promoted from Academy to first team in March 2019 following exits of Gary Walker and Robin Thorpe. Had been working with U18s since start of 2017/18.
MASSEUR
Andy Caveney
Nationality: English
Long-standing member of staff and the only masseur with the first team.
CONSULTANT NUTRITIONIST
Tom Whitehead
Nationality: English
Also works for UK Taekwondo and has previously worked for Sale Sharks rugby union team.
CONSULTANT NUTRITIONIST
Mark Ellison
Nationality: English
Has worked with United for more than a decade and also works with GB Boxing.
MEDICAL
HEAD OF SPORTS MEDICINE & SCIENCE
Dr Steve McNally
Nationality: English
Medic at Liverpool's Academy for eight years before joining United in July 2006. Publicly praised for his work by Sir Alex Ferguson on many occasions.
HEAD OF PHYSICAL THERAPIES
Michael Callaghan
Nationality: English
Has previously worked as a physio for Wigan, Everton and GB Cycling. Also Professor of Physiotherapy at Manchester Metropolitan University.
HEAD OF REHAB & PHYSIOTHERAPY
Robin Sadler
Nationality: English
Appointed to this new role in January 2021. Previously Head Physio at Derby for four years and, prior to that, first-team physio at Manchester City for 16 years.
PHYSIO
Richard Merron
Nationality: English
Moved from Academy in September 2017 to swap places with Neil Hough, who had been Head Physio since 2014.
PHYSIO
Jonny Picot
Nationality: English
Stepped up from Academy to first team with Richard Merron at the start of the 2017/18 season.
PHYSIO
John Davin
Nationality: English
A one-club man, having been at United for more than 20 years.
PHYSIO
David Binningsley
Nationality: English
Joined in July 2018 after 16 years at Sunderland.
DATA & ANALYSIS
HEAD OF FIRST TEAM ANALYSIS
Paul Brand
Nationality: Scottish
Heads up United's analysis department and works closely with Solskjaer and the first team. The Scot worked for Blackburn Rovers before joining United in 2013.
ANALYSIS OPERATIONS MANAGER
Andrew Meredith
Nationality: Australian
Appointed in August 2019 to take a strategic overview of the department. Previously worked for German side St Pauli for six years. The Australian's background is in hockey and he won two gold medals as assistant coach of the German men's team.
PERFORMANCE ANALYST
Luke Lazenby
Nationality: English
Promoted from U18s to first team in December 2018. Joined United from Brentford in March 2016.
PERFORMANCE ANALYST
Tom Green
Nationality: English
At Derby County for more than three years, latterly as opposition analyst, before joining in December 2017.
ASSISTANT PERFORMANCE ANALYST
Adam Warburton
Nationality: English
Joined from Wigan in September 2016 as Man Utd revamped their analytics department.
ASSISTANT PERFORMANCE ANALYST
Rob Page
Nationality: English
Appointed in February 2018. Previous experience with Blackburn and Bournemouth.
