Three Manchester United stars should be revelling in the opportunity to work with Steve Holland following Michael Carrick’s appointment as head coach.
Following the dismissal of Rúben Amorim earlier this month, Manchester United have appointed Michael Carrick as head coach until the end of the season.
Carrick will be supported by former defender Jonny Evans, Under-21s coach Travis Binnion, and first-team coaches Steve Holland and Jonathan Woodgate.
While Carrick’s immediate task is to steer United back into the Champions League places ahead of next season, the club’s hierarchy are already evaluating potential candidates to take charge on a permanent basis.
Carrick and his coaching staff are expected to leave their posts or return to their previous roles at Old Trafford once the campaign concludes, after which a new long-term head coach will be appointed, though there is currently little clarity over who that might be.
How Holland helped Mainoo in 2024
Following Carrick’s appointment, there has been considerable noise about his backroom staff selection, namely the appointment of Holland, who supported Southgate with England.
The BBC has reported that Holland will “provide a cool head” amid the scrutiny at United and bring a level of “knowledge and expertise” that Carrick appreciates.
He is also known to be very hands-on with young talent, as demonstrated when Kobbie Mainoo spoke about his first England call-up in 2024. The midfielder’s call-up was an unusual one, having initially been selected for the U21s before being upgraded once he arrived at the England training base.
Speaking at the time, Mainoo said: “I got called up to the U21s, and then got a text from Steve Holland and he told me to come and meet him in the reception. He told me that I’ve been called up and I’m gonna be with the squad. It hasn’t sunk in yet, but I’m excited.”
Mainoo is not the only player benefiting from the new set-up
A lot has been made of Mainoo’s lack of game time under Amorim, with the player making just 16 starts in 14 months during the 40-year-old’s tenure at Old Trafford.
However, with Carrick coming in and United reverting to a 4-2-3-1, Mainoo will almost certinaly be one player who finds himself back in the side and back in the middle of the park.
But, given Holland’s trust in young stars, there are others who will benefit from his boost of confidence. Leny Yoro has had a rough time of late and found himself relegated to the bench, but heading back to a back four with Holland working alongside Carrick will help the Frenchman back to his best.
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Another is Ayden Heaven. The 19-year-old has been stunning at the back for United and is an outside shot for the England squad this summer. Holland’s expertise and knowledge of both on- and off-pitch needs, and his ability to ignore outside noise, could be pivotal to his development.
Finally, Shea Lacey is a third who can really draw from the next few months with Holland, Carrick, and others in charge. The 18-year-old was sent off in his last game for the Reds, but his talent is obvious.
Lacey will need a figure such as Holland to help navigate the first few months of his senior career, and having a former player so experienced as Carrick as well as a coach like Holland, who’s seen it all, at his disposal, should excite the England youth international.
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