Michael Carrick’s backroom staff at Man Utd have been crucial in helping him to prepare for two big wins over Manchester City and Arsenal
13:35, 27 Jan 2026Updated 13:36, 27 Jan 2026
Jonny Evans and Jonathan Woodgate.(Image: 2026 Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA)
Last weekend, Leeds fans’ stomachs churned when they spotted Jonathan Woodgate celebrating against Arsenal. You could say Woodgate has ‘done an Alan Smith’ by switching allegiances to Manchester United.
“Seeing Jonny Woodgate celebrate a scum winner like that is grim,” posted a Leeds fan on social media. They may have to get used to Michael Carrick’s backroom staff celebrating on touchlines, though.
Carrick has overseen brilliant wins against Manchester City and Arsenal. United sources continue to reiterate that nobody is getting carried away, but Carrick has made a perfect start, helping to restore optimism for the remainder of the season after inheriting a team out of all cup competitions.
The backroom staff have been crucial in those wins. Steve Holland joined Carrick to serve as assistant manager, while Woodgate, Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion are first-team coaches.
Holland and Woogate have been hands-on alongside Carrick during training sessions. Woodgate speaks Spanish, which has helped him find common ground with Spanish-speaking players in the squad.
FOLLOW OUR MAN UNITED FB PAGE! Latest news and analysis via the MEN’s Manchester United Facebook page
OPINION
When Woodgate signed for Real Madrid in the summer of 2004, he attempted to speak Spanish at his initiation, while Michael Owen, who signed in the same window, chose to speak English. Woodgate immersed himself in Spanish culture and watched Spanish television to help pick up conversations more easily. He said it was “vital” to learn. Studying Spanish stood him in good stead when he coached Spanish players at Bournemouth, and it has helped him to endear himself at Carrington.
“Chuffed for Woody. Hope you get a chance to speak to him at some point. He’s good as gold, brilliant fella,” was the message from a north-east contact after his arrival at United.
A journalist who interviewed Woodgate during his time at Real Madrid was present in the mixed zone at the Emirates. Woodgate strolled over to have a small catch-up with that reporter.
Woodgate and Zidane during Madrid training in 2004.(Image: 2004 AFP)
Woodgate had the talent to be remembered as one of the finest English defenders of all time, but injuries ultimately curtailed his career. Unsurprisingly, the 46-year-old has passed on knowledge to United’s defensive unit since his arrival, working individually with the defenders to help them improve.
Woodgate’s coaching career has been interesting. He was an assistant coach at Middlesbrough when they were relegated from the Premier League in 2017. He returned to Boro in the summer of 2019 to become their manager, but he was sacked near the end of his first season.
In 2021, Woodgate joined Bournemouth. He oversaw the remainder of the campaign as interim, guiding the Cherries into the Championship play-offs, before being overlooked for the permanent job.
Woodgate returned to Middlesbrough in 2022 to work as a first-team coach following Carrick’s appointment as manager. He departed alongside Carrick when he was sacked by Boro. During their time at Middlesbrough, Carrick said: “Woody has been massive ever since I’ve walked through the door. The impact on me and around the place is massive… his character, knowledge and love of the game. He sees things a little bit differently than me, having obviously played at the back.
“We feed off each other in a good, dynamic way. He’s constantly looking at different things to what I might see and helping the boys develop. Defence is one of the things we’ve really been conscious of and trying to focus on. Woody does a lot of work with the back four, and credit to him for that.”
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick and Jonathan Woodgate the assistant head coach
Evans, who retired from playing at the end of last season, has also been responsible for individual work with the defenders. Evans took up a role as head of loans and pathways last summer, but sources with knowledge of his decision to step away in December said it was not a position that suited him.
The academy graduate is now within the thick of the action again, which is thought to be more suitable for this stage of his career, compared to the slow pace of his previous United role.
Evans is hugely respected at Carrington. He is particularly good with young players, having experience of what it’s like to come through the academy and what teenagers must do to consolidate.
Respect for Holland is widespread in the coaching sphere. He worked with Jose Mourinho, Rafa Benitez and Antonio Conte, among others, during his time at Chelsea, and was credited with overseeing the bulk of coaching during his stint as Gareth Southgate’s assistant manager for England.
Holland is a boyhood United fan and would watch games from the Stretford End when he was a kid. Carrick had not worked with him before, but agreed with Jason Wilcox that his skillset would be helpful.
Holland and Carrick pictured in discussion.(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
Binnion’s official title at the academy was ‘head of player development and coaching’ before his first-team promotion. Binnion was U21 manager, but stepped up to help Darren Fletcher when he was caretaker.
He was retained to coach within the senior set-up when Carrick was appointed. Binnion has long been a conduit between the first-team and the academy, advising which players are ready to participate in senior training sessions, but his role has evolved over the last few weeks. Although Binnion was on the bench during Fletcher’s two games in charge, he has now moved into the stands to sit with the analysts and pass on information to the bench during matches.
Woodgate was spotted wearing an earpiece during the Manchester derby. Binnion’s aerial advantage means he can feed back nuggets of information that the coaches in the dug-out may not identify. Binnion has worked tirelessly behind the scenes in the academy over the last few years. Young players, parents and representatives have all benefited from his wise counsel.
Craig Mawson was the only coach on Ruben Amorim’s backroom staff to be retained after his exit. Mawson joined United in 2019, having worked his way up at Burnley in different goalkeeper coach positions.
The first-team analyst staff continue to be important. Amorim namedropped Kaita Hasegawa as someone who deserved praise for improving set-pieces and helping to tactically prepare for the opponent. Hasegawa’s position has not been described as senior, but he was recruited from Everton after seven years in Merseyside, and he is understood to play an important role in the background.
Carrick has been lavished with praise, however, the mini-transformation over the fortnight has been a collective effort. United are heading in the right direction again thanks to their work at Carrington.
Content cannot be displayed without consent