McKenna: United coaches complement each other

Kieran McKenna feels the current composition of Manchester United’s coaching set-up is working well, with each person bringing something different to the table.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed earlier this week that our former Under-18s coach McKenna will continue to be a part of his backroom team next season.

A lifelong United fan whose playing career was curtailed by injury, Kieran embraces the challenge of improving as a coach every single day and believes each member of the staff has that attitude.

“I think that’s one of the main things as coaches that at this level you’re always looking at ways to improve yourself first of all,” McKenna told us at the club's recent awards night.

“Then come up with new ideas and keep things fresh and interesting for the players to make sure you keep challenging them.

“Obviously a lot of the players have been at the top level and are working at the top level so we need to make sure that we make things challenging for them and keep pushing them to try to get them to the next level – for themselves individually and try to get the team to the next level.

“I think we’ve got a wide range of experiences within the staff at the moment. I think myself, Ole, Mike, Michael, Demps and Emilio all come from completely different backgrounds and angles. I like to think we complement each other well and we all bring something to the table.”

After growing up with a passion for United, McKenna has a good feeling for what it takes to achieve success at Old Trafford.

“At Man United you have to be a team player,” he said.

“I think even the top players who’ve come through here are always guys who are prepared to sacrifice themselves for the team, and put the club and the team ahead of themselves.

“I think that’s the character we always want to see in players. We’ve had a lot of great players who’ve represented that really well.”