Benni McCarthy made Manchester United decision without even hearing job salary

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Manchester United striker coach Benni McCarthy has turned out to be one of the unsung heroes of the club’s season.

McCarthy was hired to Erik ten Hag‘s coaching staff in late July, after reportedly impressing the manager during a trial period, The Mirror reported at the time.

The Athletic had reported how contact with McCarthy was first made in May, with the former South Africa striker first thought of as an under-23 coach.

Erik ten Hag was so impressed by McCarthy that he brought him in to complete his coaching set up.

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McCarthy is United’s unsung hero

Benni McCarthy was so keen to take the role with Ten Hag’s first team that he did not even ask the job salary before accepting the role, The Mail reported.

This only adds to the positive way McCarthy is viewed. He has played a key role in the rejuvenation of Marcus Rashford, who is enjoying a career best season with 24 goals so far.

Anthony Martial is claimed to have enjoyed working with McCarthy, while Jadon Sancho has held one on one sessions by request, The Mail report.

In addition to his work on the training ground, McCarthy regularly interacts positively with United’s stars on Instagram, showing the connection he has with the players.

Erik ten Hag told MUTV at the time how he decided on hiring McCarthy, who had experience of Premier League football from his playing days at Blackburn Rovers.

He said: “There was still one place in our coaching staff that I wanted to fill. Someone with a different voice, and Benni is that one.

“He has experience as a manager, he was a coach in the professional level and was a former striker — a really successful striker as well. He will focus on positioning and attacking. I’m not saying only for the strikers, but also the integration from the full-backs and midfielders.”

McCarthy once haunted Manchester United with Porto in the Champions League back in 2004. But he is now making it all up to the Red Devils.

His hard work on the training ground has played a part in United still pushing in four competitions in late February. But as McCarthy would surely note, there is plenty more hard work ahead.