Manchester United to appoint Benni McCarthy as striker coach

Benni McCarthy celebrates a goal as coach of Cape Town City in 2019.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Manchester United are set to appoint South Africa legend Benni McCarthy as the club's new striker coach.

McCarthy, who is a lifelong Manchester United fan, played for Blackburn Rovers and West Ham in the Premier League, as well as a host of other clubs in a long career.

The South African was a Champions League winner with Porto in 2004, scoring twice against United in the last 16 en route to the trophy.

The 44-year-old also had spells at Ajax, Celta Vigo and Orlando Pirates, as well as scoring 31 goals in 79 appearances for South Africa.

He will now link up with United coach Erik ten Hag and will be charged with improving the strikers at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag admitted he was frustrated after United failed to take their chances in Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in Oslo, but the Dutchman will welcome back last season's top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo for Sunday's friendly against Rayo Vallecano.

Ben Hayward
Weekend editor

Ben Hayward is a European football writer and Tottenham Hotspur fan with over 15 years’ experience, he has covered games all over the world - including three World Cups, several Champions League finals, Euros, Copa America - and has spent much of that time in Spain. Ben speaks English and Spanish, currently dividing his time between Barcelona and London, covering all the big talking points of the weekend on FFT: he’s also written several list features and interviewed Guglielmo Vicario for the magazine.