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.

MANAGER & HEADS OF DEPARTMENT

MANAGER

Jose Mourinho

Nationality: Portuguese

An avaricious trophy collector who has claimed eight league titles and two Champions Leagues in his 17 seasons as a manager. Won the League Cup and Europa League last season, but has his eyes set on the Premier League this term.

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

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.

FIRST-TEAM COACH

Stefano Rapetti

Nationality: Italian

A fitness expert, also appointed at the end of 2017/18. Worked with Mourinho at Inter Milan during the Treble-winning season of 2009/10.

FIRST-TEAM COACH

Silvino Louro

Nationality: Portuguese

Was a goalkeeper of some repute, playing 184 games for Benfica and 23 for Portugal. First worked with Mourinho at Porto and has been with him ever since.

TECHNICAL SCOUT

Ricardo Formosinho

Nationality: Portuguese

A former Primeira Liga midfielder who has managed more than 20 teams around the world. Worked with Mourinho at Porto and Real and came with him to United last summer.

HEAD OF FITNESS

Carlos Lalin

Nationality: Venezuelan

Spent a decade at Deportivo La Coruna before being taken to Real Madrid by Mourinho. Followed him to Chelsea & now United. Reported to have had a training ground 'bust up' with Portuguese last March. His role was beefed up this summer.

GOALKEEPING COACH

Emilio Alvarez

Nationality: Spanish

Appointed last July. Close to United keeper David de Gea, who he helped bring through from the age of 18 at Atletico Madrid.

ANALYST

Giovanni Cerra

Nationality: Italian

Provides a link between Mourinho and the analysts, headed by Paul Brand (below). Originally a graphic designer and compiles visual reports for the manager and players.

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