Insiders within the Manchester United camp have provided details about the squad’s reaction to training methods used by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s staff.
According to The Athletic, a collection of senior players would prefer the sessions to be taken by more experienced coaches.
The shifts at Carrington are often organised by Kieran McKenna – who is a year younger than Cristiano Ronaldo – and Michael Carrick.
McKenna and Carrick
Neither have ever been placed in sole charge of a senior side, whilst McKenna’s playing career leaves little to be desired.
The Northern Irishman spent some time with Tottenham Hotspur Under-18s and United’s equivalents before Jose Mourinho promoted him to the first team.
Several ‘well-placed’ sources suggest that some individuals question McKenna’s pedigree when they are ordered to go beyond their comfort zone.
His methods were described as ‘schoolmasterly’ by an informant from The Athletic.
Players have also brought up similar grievances about McKenna’s approaches when United’s results have taken a downturn.
However, in his defence, an associate of the 35-year-old claims he has the pedigree to become a manager at a top-six Premier League club.
Apparently, the former Spurs youth footballer’s levels of diligence and research stand him in good stead.
Although, The Athletic counter this by saying some doubt McKenna ‘possess the requisite charisma’ to make it at the very top.
For Carrick, his main skills on the training ground consist of ‘spotting details and influencing players with an arm-around-the-shoulder and one-to-one chat’.
A valued contributor to United’s success under Alex Ferguson, the ex-midfielder has credit in the bank in this regard.
But the signs protruding from the Old Trafford dressing room towards their coaches are not entirely positive.
This can’t be easy reading for Solskjaer, who needs everyone pulling in the same direction if the Red Devils are to rise from their flames.
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