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.

CARETAKER MANAGER

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Nationality: Norwegian

Legendary player for the club, having scored 91 goals in 235 games and the winner in the 1999 Champions League final. Brought in on loan from Molde as manager after Jose Mourinho was sacked.

HEAD OF DEVELOPMENT

John Murtough

Nationality: English

Joined in November 2013, having been Head of Elite Performance at Premier League. Previously in charge of the Academy at Everton. Role similar to that of a Sporting Director.

ASSISTANTS

INTERIM 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. Brought in on an interim basis from Central Coast Mariners, where he's the Sporting Director.

INTERIM ASSISTANT

Mark Demsey

Nationality: English

Made two appearances as a player for United under Ron Atkinson. Assisted Solskjaer at Cardiff City in 2014 and then at Molde. Has managerial experience himself, with Haugesund, Djurgarden, Start and Kongsvinger.

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.

GOALKEEPER COACH

Emilio Alvarez

Nationality: Spanish

Appointed in July 2016, mainly because of his close relationship with United keeper David de Gea. Helped bring through the Spain international from the age of 18 at Atletico Madrid.

MEDICAL & SPORTS SCIENCE

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.

HEAD OF MEDICINE & SCIENCE

Steve McNally

Nationality: English

Was 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 RECOVERY & REGENERATION

Robin Thorpe

Nationality: English

Joined United in November 2009 as a sports science researcher before being promoted to this newly-created position. Worked with Mexico at the 2018 World Cup.

HEAD OF STRENGTH & CONDITIONING

Gary Walker

Nationality: English

Arrived from the English Institute of Sport in March 2008. Has been Head of S&C since July 2010.

SENIOR SPORTS SCIENTIST

David Kelly

Nationality: English

At Barnsley and Darlington before joining United in 2010. Monitors training loads using tools such as GPS.

HEAD PHYSIO

Richard Merron

Nationality: English

Stepped up from Academy to swap places with Neil Hough, who had held the position 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.

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.

SPORTS THERAPIST

Rod Thornley