“Ruben Amorim has been doing an amazing job as the manager of Man United but we felt he needs all the help he can get. So we are bringing in an amazing coach to assist” – This is according to Sir Jim Ratcliffe as Manchester United have reportedly brought in a record-breaking coach to assist Ruben Amorim, as INEOS looks for ways to achieve marginal gains.
Manchester United have reportedly brought in record-breaking track and field coach Harry Marra as a temporary consultant, as part of Sir Dave Brailsford’s strategy to achieve long-term marginal gains.
Manchester United have reportedly brought in record-breaking track and field coach Harry Marra as a temporary consultant, as part of Sir Dave Brailsford’s strategy to achieve long-term marginal gains. Marra, a globally recognized athletics expert, has been assisting at Carrington in a move strongly influenced by INEOS.
Ruben Amorim’s high-intensity 3-4-3 system demands extensive running both on and off the ball, something United have struggled with due to a lack of physicality and athleticism within the squad.
To address this, the club has not only secured a £25 million deal for Lecce’s left-wing-back Patrick Dorgu but is also utilizing Marra’s expertise to enhance player performance. His insights will help shape training methods that can be implemented for years to come.
According to The Athletic, the 78-year-old is advising on key elements of athletics, including running mechanics to improve speed and endurance. Marra was spotted wearing a United tracksuit near Sir Alex Ferguson in the directors’ box during last Thursday’s 2-1 Europa League win over Rangers.
Sam Erith, United’s interim performance director, reportedly recommended Marra for the role, having previously worked in the United States. Before joining the Red Devils, Erith spent two years as senior vice-president for player performance at Madison Square Garden Sports Corp, collaborating with the New York Knicks and New York Rangers.
United executives arranged Marra’s short-term stint with Amorim’s approval, and some United players are even considering hiring personal coaches to meet the physical demands of both the Premier League and Amorim’s philosophy. The Portuguese manager famously stated upon his arrival that only those willing to “run like mad dogs” would have a future at the club.
Marra is renowned for applying scientific principles to movement analysis. He coached two-time decathlon world record-holder Ashton Eaton and heptathlon world and Olympic medalist Brianne Theisen. Named World Athletics Coach of the Year in 2016, he also helped Lalu Muhammad Zohri become Indonesia’s first-ever medalist at the World Junior Championships in 2018.
This appointment is likely just one of many short-term expert recruitments as INEOS and Brailsford implement their approach, drawing from their previous success in other sports.
