There is growing talk around potential alternatives, including a return to the club’s recent coaching framework. United’s admiration for Kieran McKenna has been noted, with McKenna having been part of the coaching group under previous leadership. He previously helped Ipswich Town rise from League One to the Premier League, achieving multiple promotions, and he is currently out of work after Ipswich’s promotion was secured. McKenna’s track record suggests a steadying influence, and his name has been linked with the notion of following Carrick’s approach.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer previously highlighted the contributions of his close staff, including Carrick and McKenna, describing how they managed tactical details and maintained squad cohesion. Even as Carrick’s tenure unfolds, United’s longstanding respect for McKenna’s capabilities remains, with talk in football circles suggesting Solskjaer’s judgment of both assistants was forward-looking. If continued changes follow Carrick, McKenna’s profile could align with plans to balance tactical sharpness with the ability to keep the squad connected to the club’s culture.
