Two former Manchester United coaches' impact on Championship this season speaks volumes

Ex-Manchester United coaches Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna have been flying in the Championship in recent weeks.

Carrick's Middlesbrough haven't been beaten in their last five league games whilst McKenna's Ipswich haven't lost since August, something United fans should keep a pleasant eye on.

McKenna's Ipswich are sitting comfortably in second place, just two points behind recently relegated Leicester City. The Tractor Boys have dropped points in only two games from the opening eleven and are unbeaten at Portman Road. His side has clearly kicked on after a promotion-achieving season in League One last year, so far proving McKenna can cut it in the higher divisions.

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Meanwhile, United's former midfield maestro hasn't had as comfortable a start as his managerial counterpart this year. After an impressive season at Boro last season (which started similarly to this one), Carrick's side restarted the campaign without a win from their first seven, leaving them joint at the foot of the table. An inspired run of four wins from four kick-started this season, beginning with a huge win over promotion-hopeful Southampton.

The pair started their touchline journeys at Man United when Jose Mourinho promoted them to the first team backroom staff in July 2018, continuing under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for three years after the Portuguese boss' dismissal. The two proteges stuck around at Old Trafford until the opportunity to find their own path in the world of management, McKenna in 2021 and Carrick just a year later.

Both have a United influence in their respective