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

FOOTBALL DIRECTOR

John Murtough

Nationality: English

Joined 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."

DEPUTY FOOTBALL DIRECTOR

Andy O'Boyle

Nationality: Northern Irish

Joined in May 2022 to assist Murtough. Previously worked at the Premier League for five years as Head of Elite Performance and before that at Liverpool, as Head of Elite Performance.

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 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

Erik Ten Hag

Nationality: Dutch

Made more than 300 senior appearances as a centre-back in Holland. Began his managerial career with Go Ahead Eagles, before going on to lead Bayern Munich 2 and then Utrecht, where he was also the Sporting Director. Led Utrecht to the Europa League qualifiers, which resulted in his appointment as Ajax manager in December 2017. Won three Eredivisie titles with the Dutch giants.

ASSISTANT

Mitchell van der Gaag

Nationality: Dutch

As a player, represented PSV Eindhoven, NEC, Sparta Rotterdam, Motherwell, Utrecht, Maritimo and Al-Nassr. Coaching career started in Portugal with Maritimo and then Belenenses, who he led back to the Primeira Liga. After a short spell in Cyprus he returned to the Netherlands in 2015 with FC Eindhoven, Excelsior and NAC, before joining Ajax in 2019, where he was reserve team boss and then Ten Hag's assistant.

ASSISTANT

Steve McClaren

Nationality: English

Was Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant at United from 1998 to 2001, during which time they won three Premier League titles and the Treble. Went on to become a manager, securing Middlesbrough's first major honour, the 2004 League Cup, and the Dutch league title with Twente, where Ten Hag was his assistant. However, is perhaps best remembered for his year in charge of England, which resulted in the team's failure to qualify for Euro 2008.

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.

FIRST TEAM COACH

Benni McCarthy

Nationality: South African

Won 79 caps for South Africa and is his country’s all-time leading scorer, as well as their only player to have won the Champions League (with Jose Mourinho's Porto). Uefa Pro Licence coach speaks four languages and was the 2020/21 South African Premier League Coach of the Year. Joined United in July 2022 and has special responsibility for their strikers.

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.

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.

REHAB/ FITNESS COACH

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. Title changed from sport scientist to rehab/ fitness coach in 2019.

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.

FIRST-TEAM HEAD CHEF

Omar Meziane

Nationality: English

Joined United in December 2022. Very experienced in pro sport, having worked with the England senior men's football team (2017 to 2022), England men's cricket team and in rugby union with Wasps and Harlequins. Has also done private work with Chelsea and Fulham footballers.

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. Is stepping down at the end of January 2023 to join PGMOL.

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

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

DIRECTOR OF DATA SCIENCE

Dominic Jordan

Nationality: English

Became United's first Director of Data Science in October 2021. Joined from Manchester-based N Brown, the clothing and footwear retailer, and is an avid United fan.

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.

PERFORMANCE ANALYST

Kevin Keij

Nationality: Dutch

Started out as a video analyst for Ajax U23s before being promoted to the first team under Ten Hag in June 2021. Prior to this worked with Holland's U15s and U17s. Joined United in August 2022.

PERFORMANCE ANALYST

Luke Lazenby