Legendary South African international Benni McCarthy’s job now is to coach Manchester United’s strikers! Manager Erik Ten Hag was keen to add the former Bafana Bafana goalscorer to his coaching staff.McCarthy, a self-professed Manchester United fan, never got the chance to play for the Old Trafford club, but he did score two goals against them while playing for Porto in the 2003/04 Champions League. The 44-year-old also represented the likes of Ajax, Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United during his distinguished career.Benni McCarthy and Quinton Fortune share a moment 🔥🇿🇦😭“I always used to come off the pitch with a lot of bruises (because of Quinton Fortune) but I was happy because I scored so it was worth it”pic.twitter.com/6K6pe1d88v— Soccerzela (@soccerzela) July 31, 2022 McCarthy left his post as AmaZulu head coach in March after guiding the South African team to a record second position in the league. In 2020/21, he was named the South African Premier League’s Coach of the Season.Benni McCarthy playing against United in 2004 (©AFP)The ex-forward will specialise in coaching attacking plays and positioning. Ten Hag revealed why McCarthy, who was at Old Trafford on Sunday to watch the friendly 1-1 with Rayo Vallecano, has been recruited. The Dutchman was on the lookout for one more recruit to his backroom staff in preparation for next weekend’s Premier League opener against Brighton and felt his fellow former Ajax man was a great candidate”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 he was a former striker, a really successful striker as well.”##NAJAVA_MECA_6534573##The manager also elaborated on McCarthy’s specific role at Carrington, with the Reds preparing for life at home and abroad in 2022/23.”He will focus on the positioning and attacking. I’m not saying only the strikers, but also the integration from the full-backs and midfielders. Our way of play has to be dynamic.”
