Benni McCarthy gives telling Man Utd verdict – ‘Don’t know everything’ | Football | Sport

Former Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy has reflected on his time with the Premier League club. McCarthy, who won the Champions League with Porto in his playing days, was brought on board by Erik ten Hag during the Dutchman’s time in charge. These days, the 48-year-old is back in the dugout with the Kenyan national team. He had managerial experience before moving to Old Trafford, albeit with clubs in his native South Africa, but still believes there were things he could teach the decision-makers in the United set-up.

“I went to Man. United knowing that perhaps it was outside my depth, because I had coached Cape Town City, AmaZulu, and there they were asking me to coach top players at Man United,” the former Blackburn and West Ham striker told Creamer Media TV (via A Bola). “Was I just going to learn? That wasn’t my mindset or my state of mind… ‘They asked me to come and do a job. I’ll show them. Yes, they may know many things, but they don’t know everything, so I could teach them some things they didn’t know.”

McCarthy’s time at United saw him work with Champions League and World Cup winners. Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez and Cristiano Ronaldo were among the big names he encountered but he insists he wasn’t overawed.

“That was my mindset when I went there, I’m not there to learn, I’m also there to make a change and make a difference,” he added. “To improve the situation and learn as much as I can from everything I’m giving there, and then also take something from everyone else.”

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United won the Carabao Cup in that first season and the FA Cup the following year. McCarthy left at the end of his two-year contract, with Ten Hag getting the sack just months later.

Kenya had already failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations when McCarthy took the reins, while they finished fourth in their World Cup qualifying group. Their manager is now back working with less decorated players than during his spell in Manchester but insists he was never overawed by United’s stars.

“Even Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the best players in the world, could still teach him something he didn’t know, because I’ve been on this earth longer than him and I’ve done it before him, so there was something he could learn from me,” he added.

“So why should I feel ‘wow’ ? Admire him because he’s Ronaldo and be here to learn. No, I’m here to give back, and that was my mentality, and that’s why I feel I’ve been successful [at United].”