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.

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