Manchester United’s striker coach Benni McCarthy. Image: Twitter/@ManUnited
Benni McCarthy stock continues to climb as Ten Hag lauds SA coach
Rashford has been the biggest Benni McCarthy beneficiary, tallying 27 goals and 9 assists in 43 games so far for Manchester United.
Manchester United’s striker coach Benni McCarthy. Image: Twitter/@ManUnited
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has once again sang former Bafana Bafana striker Benni McCarthy‘s praises.
During a press conference on Friday afternoon ahead of United’s FA Cup quarterfinal clash with Fulham on Sunday, Ten Hag lauded McCarthy’s work with the club’s attackers, in particular Marcus Rashford, reported the Manchester Evening News.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Marcus Rashford lauds the impact of Benni McCarthy
Benni McCarthy gets pat on the back
Ten Hag emphasised McCarthy’s impact since joining Ten Hag as a first-team striker coach. Ten Hag told reporters gathered at Carrington, the club’s training ground, that McCarthy understood the “art of finishing”, as reported by Manchester Evening News.
“I thought we needed one on the staff who is specific and responsible for strikers, Benni is doing a good job,” Ten Hag reportedly said.
Benni’s journey so far…
Ten Hag enlisted McCarthy in July 2022 ahead of the ongoing 2022-2023 season, in a bid to improve United’s attacking and goalscoring.
ALSO READ: Rashford talks personal relationship with Benni McCarthy at Man United
This came after the club finished a disappointing sixth place in the Premier League in the 2021-2022 season, with 57 goals scored – 42 goals less than rivals Manchester City’s 99 goals, the reigning champions.
Since then, Rashford has been the biggest beneficiary of McCarthy’s influence, tallying an impressive 27 goals and 9 assists in 43 games so far.
And Rashford has been effusive about McCarthy’s influence on the squad.
“I feel like since Benni has come in, we’ve worked more as a team going forward which has lead to us creating more chances of scoring goals,” Rashford said in an interview with SuperSport on 13 March 2023.
ALSO READ: Arsenal legend lauds Benni McCarthy for Marcus Rashford improvement
What’s next for Benni McCarthy and squad?
Up next, United – who are third in the Premier League and mathematically still in the title race – face Fulham on Sunday in the FA Cup quarterfinal.
Among the so-called top-six clubs, only Manchester City are still involved in the cup. This has given United a great chance to add more silverware to their campaign, after last month’s Carabao Cup triumph.
ALSO READ: Benni McCarthy bags first trophy with Manchester United
And earlier on Friday, United found out they would be facing Sevilla in the quarterfinals of the Europa League, with the first leg scheduled for 12 April 2023 in Manchester.
