The Manchester United managerial representation is strong in the Premier League, with Kieran McKenna at Ipswich Town recently joined by Ruud van Nistelrooy at Leicester City.
The picture is similar in the Championship, with Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney at Middlesbrough and Plymouth Argyle the two marquee names.
While Carrick has enjoyed success relative to expectations at Teesside, Rooney has struggled to get going, even though Plymouth hovering near the relegation zone is par for the course for them this year.
Rooney has now elected to strengthen the Man United connection further by bringing in Sir Alex Ferguson loyalist, Mike Phelan as an assistant manager at the club to help him turn around the fortunes.
Mike Phelan coach of Manchester United with Wayne Rooney of Derby County during the FA Cup Fifth Round match between Derby County and Manchester Un...
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Mike Phelan joins Wayne Rooney at Plymouth Argyle
After 18 games in the league, Plymouth sit 22nd in the Championship with the worst defensive record in the league by some distance, conceding 38 goals so far.
They are just two points from the foot of the table so head coach Wayne Rooney clearly deemed some changes as necessary.
Out went Pete Shuttleworth, the incumbent assistant manager, and Mike Phelan comes in to replace him which is quite a coup by Plymouth’s standards.
Phelan has worked with Sir Alex and then Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford and his brief head coach spell at Hull City in the Premier League was characterised by a tight defence that was hard to get past.
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That is exactly the skill Plymouth and Rooney need right now and the former United man will hope Phelan’s introduction can start their march up the table.
Phelan sends Man Utd-themed message upon announcement
Pete Shuttleworth had to depart due to some personal reasons so Phelan’s hiring can be looked at a sort of opportunity in a crisis.
Rooney said on the hiring: “Mike is someone I know well having worked with him when I was a player at Manchester United and he has vast experience at the highest level of football.
“I am really pleased to bring him to Argyle and look forward to seeing him get to work immediately.”
Phelan sent a United-themed message on Instagram, announcing his arrival with the caption: “I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be #ReUnited with Wayne Rooney at Plymouth Argyle. I’m looking forward to this new challenge.”
Phelan begins his job immediately but he will not have much time to make an impact as they play Swansea at home on Dec 10 followed by another game just four days later away at Sheffield United.
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