Michael Carrick Targets Aaron Danks for United Coaching Staff
Michael Carrick is targeting Aaron Danks for Manchester United’s coaching staff if he gets the permanent manager job. United have already carried out background checks on the Bayern Munich assistant, but no formal approach has been made.
Carrick’s United push
Manchester United have climbed to third in the Premier League table after 34 games under Carrick, with nine wins and just two defeats. That run has kept him in the frame for the permanent role at the end of the campaign, and it has also widened the planning around who would sit beside him if he stays in charge.
Danks joined Vincent Kompany’s staff at Bayern Munich in 2024, but his link to Carrick goes back to Middlesbrough in December 2022, when he worked on Carrick’s coaching staff. United’s interest is tied to that previous partnership, with Carrick looking to upgrade his backroom team before a full-time appointment is made.
Aaron Danks and Bayern Munich
Danks’ route through elite environments has become part of the appeal. He worked with Kompany at Anderlecht in 2021, then later under Dean Smith, Steven Gerrard and Unai Emery at Aston Villa before moving to Bayern. He was on the sideline for Bayern’s 5-4 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League when Kompany was banished to the stands.
Those details sit inside a wider move at United this summer, where the club are working to strengthen the coaching team ahead of the new season. Carrick remains an option for the permanent manager job, and Steve Holland’s future could also affect that decision.
United’s summer checks
The clearest point for United is that the scouting work on Danks has already started. The background checks mean Carrick is not waiting for the end of the campaign to shape the staff he wants, and the absence of a formal approach leaves the club free to keep assessing other options before the appointment is made.
“Manchester United are keeping close tabs on Bayern Munich assistant Aaron Danks, with TEAMtalk able to reveal that Michael Carrick wants him as part of his long-term coaching staff should he land the job permanently at Old Trafford.” “Sources understands that Man Utd have already carried out background work on Danks and have been impressed by their findings.” “Indeed, his tactical acumen, adaptability and experience working across multiple elite environments have all been noted.” “Sources suggest this is part of a wider process at United, who are conducting due diligence on potential coaching additions should Carrick be handed the role on a full-time basis.”
