Benni McCarthy was a low key addition to Manchester United’s coaching staff back in July. He might have turned out to be one of the most important.
McCarthy was hired as a striker’s coach and has become a key man behind the scenes.
He has been partly credited with helping to rejuvenate Marcus Rashford, who has scored 25 goals this season after netting only five times a year ago.
The Mail report Jadon Sancho has recently also asked to take one to one sessions with McCarthy.
Benni McCarthy applauded
Benni McCarthy was at Wembley with the rest of the coaching staff as Manchester United won the Carabao Cup at the weekend.
He posed for pictures with Erik ten Hag and the rest of the staff as they celebrated the club’s first trophy of the season, ending a six-year drought.
This is just the start for Erik ten Hag’s United, and while McCarthy does not seek the limelight, his contribution is being recognised.
McCarthy’s work is receiving particular attention in his South Africa homeland. The forward used to represent his country at international level, and seeing hit new highs in his coaching career is evoking a sense of pride, with it also viewed that his success could open doors.
South African radio personality Robert Marawa wrote on Twitter: “U were never allergic to winning!! U brought this culture to Old Trafford with u!!!”
There were further messages on McCarthy’s Instagram account, with South African rapper Yanga Chief writing simply, “Thanks Benni”.
Former South African rugby star Bryan Habana also applauded him, while Cape Town City winger Aubrey Ngoma wrote, ‘Congratulations coach’.
It’s abundantly clear that McCarthy is a popular figure and he is certainly admired within Carrington. He is playing a vital role behind the scenes, having jumped at the job when it was offered to him last summer after he impressed on a coaching trial.
While he will have aspirations to be a manager at the top level in his own right, this Manchester United experience is a ride he won’t want to end, and Erik ten Hag won’t want to lose him either.
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