'I had a massive lump in my throat' - how Benni McCarthy was recruited by Manchester United

Manchester United first-team coach Benni McCarthy has revealed that he had a lump in his throat when Erik ten Hag first contacted him about the prospect of joining his coaching staff last summer.

McCarthy, who spent five years as a player in England, playing for both Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United, joined the Reds at the end of last July, tasked with overseeing United's attacking play. He quickly established himself as a key member of Ten Hag's inner circle and played a key role in a successful 2022/23 campaign for the club.

The South African has been credited with playing a key role in Marcus Rashford's resurrection after the England international scored 30 goals in all competitions this season. The academy graduate became the first United player to score 30 goals in a single season since Robin van Persie a decade ago.

Though McCarthy was a popular figure during his playing days, certainly across his four-year spell at Blackburn, he was not a name that anyone thought Ten Hag would choose to add to his coaching staff at Old Trafford. However, the former striker has now detailed just how he ended up in M16.

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"Erik ten Hag came in and he spoke to my agent Rob Moore about one of the players that was playing in Holland and he asked Rob about an American player that Rob also managed," said McCarthy, speaking to 947 Joburg. "They were just speaking about that and once the conversation had ended, he said to him, 'By the way, how's Benni? How is Benni doing? Is he still working in South Africa?'

"Rob told him that I had left and was living back in Scotland. He then asked Rob to tell me to give him [Ten Hag] a call and if I could go