Two Manchester United players are among a group of high-profile players and coaches who have sent their wishes to former Bafana Bafana striker Benni McCarthy, following his appointment as the new Harambee Stars head coach.McCarthy, 47, was on Monday, 3 March officially unveiled as Kenya men’s national football team head coach, signing a two-year deal that will see him take charge of the side in the lead-up to a home Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027.Benni McCarthy formally appointed as new Harambee Stars coachMcCarthy’s previous role before taking up the national team role for the first time in his managerial career was being Manchester United’s first-team coach, a position he served for two years under former manager Erik ten Hag.In his position at Carrington, McCarthy worked as an attacking coach, training with the team’s forwards from July 2022 to June 2024, when his contract expired.Bafana Bafana legend appointed to teach Manchester United strikers how to scoreIt was therefore no surprise that a couple of Manchester United players reacted first to McCarthy’s recent appointment, wishing him well in his new job on Instagram.Under McCarthy’s post “Looking forward to my new role as head coach of the Kenya National Team”, current Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes said: “Well deserved bro. Best luck in the world.”Swedish forward Anthony Elanga also dropped a comment for McCarthy saying: “Deserved musutuuu.”Elanga, now with Nottingham Forest, served under McCarthy at Manchester United in the 2022-23 season – his last at Old Trafford.Red Devils defender Lisandro Martinez was also not left behind in sending his regards to McCarthy posting: “Hits on bro! You deserve the best.”The Argentine played in both seasons McCarthy was present at United.Other top figures to have sent their best wishes to McCarthy are Mozambique national football team defender Edmilson Gabriel Dove, South African forward Percy Tau, and former player turned pundit Robbie Savage, whose son, Charlie, was a Manchester United youth player in the years the South African was at the club.##NAJAVA_MECA_8754800##South African coach Pitso Mosimane also congratulated his country-mate McCarthy saying: “Benni in the 18 area! Congratulations and I wish you all the best. You have the experience and knowledge of the game. You have players and coached at the highest level. I only hope Kenya will be patient with you and don’t expect a quick fix.”McCarthy, who has swiftly began his work watching a local league fixture this week, will get his first test with the national team this month, when Kenya takes on Gambia and Gabon in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.Inside McCarthy’s plan to integrate young players into Harambee Stars
