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 staff.

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 has some of the same functions as a Sporting Director.

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

Mark Dempsey

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.

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

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.

HEAD OF FIRST TEAM DEVELOPMENT

Nicky Butt

Nationality: English

Was Academy Manager for three years before taking this new role in July 2019. Responsible for helping the club's best Academy players make the transition to the first team. The former England international played 387 games for the Red Devils.

MEDICAL & SPORTS SCIENCE

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.

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.

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

Nationality: English

Brother of Ben, the former United winger. With United since 2000.

SOFT TISSUE THERAPIST

Garry Armer

Nationality: English

At United since July 2002, having previously held the same role at arch rivals Liverpool.

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.

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.

ANALYSTS

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