Manchester United first-team coach Benni McCarthy during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg match at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium, Seville. Thursday April 20, 2023. (Isabel Infantes/PA Images via Getty Images)

• Manchester United have reportedly chosen to retain Erik ten Hag as manager and he has requested an extension deal for Benni McCarthy.
• McCarthy, praised for his positive impact and multilingual communication skills, is open to staying at United.
• Under McCarthy’s guidance, Man United secured the League Cup and the FA Cup, with an official announcement on Ten Hag’s continued management expected soon.
• For more soccer news, go to News24 Sport’s dedicated section.

In a move that signals continuity and stability, Manchester United have chosen to retain Erik ten Hag as their manager, according to The Athletic.

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Alongside this decision, Ten Hag has also requested that the club extend the tenure of Benni McCarthy, his trusted strikers’ coach.

McCarthy, 46, has been a part of Ten Hag’s backroom team and has earned high praise for his work at the club.

His influence has been notably positive, making a significant impact on the team’s performance.

The former head coach of Cape Town City and AmaZulu has become a favourite among the players, partly due to his ability to communicate in multiple languages, which helps bridge cultural gaps within United’s diverse roster.

However, McCarthy’s current contract at Old Trafford is set to expire on 30 June.

With speculation linking him to the vacant Kaizer Chiefs position, there were concerns he might leave, especially with Ten Hag’s future once appearing uncertain.

Now, with the new INEOS leadership backing Ten Hag’s continued management, the Dutch manager is in talks for a new contract and has emphasised the importance of retaining McCarthy.

In a recent interview with Robert Marawa, McCarthy expressed his enthusiasm for staying at Manchester United, though he admitted he is also tempted by the prospect of returning to a head coach role.

“My contract is coming to an end now in June, and if the club wants me to continue, and in the role that I have, I will be grateful and it will be amazing,” he said.

“I absolutely adore and I love my role. I love working for Manchester United, but obviously the itchiness, the desire, the hunger to be a coach, to be a manager, to be the man in charge making the decisions, of course, that’s always there.

“I don’t think it will ever go away. Once you get that back, then it always comes back.”

In that same interview with Marawa, the Bafana legend mentioned he is open to possibly returning to South Africa.

During the latter part of his playing career, McCarthy wore the jersey of Orlando Pirates, the fierce rivals of Kaizer Chiefs, and was instrumental in their treble-winning season. He has now expressed a willingness to manage Chiefs, who are seeking a new coach at the helm.

McCarthy has been instrumental in helping Man United claim the League Cup and the FA Cup during his two years at the club.

Meanwhile, Man United are expected to make an official announcement on Ten Hag remaining as manager in the coming days.