Manchester United have been linked with Arsenal defender Ben White but a deal seems extremely unlikely if Steve Holland remains at Old Trafford.
When Michael Carrick was appointed as interim head coach at Manchester United, he brought in Steve Holland as part of his backroom coaching staff.
Carrick has an excellent dynamic with Holland, and they have both contributed to United’s resurgence this season with seven wins in their first 10 games in charge.
United players have praised Holland’s impact in training, especially in terms of defensive organisation. Holland learned from Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho during his coaching years, and he also spent time working under Sir Gareth Southgate with England.
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Ben White dispute with Steve Holland led to England exit
United have been linked with Ben White as a potential transfer target ahead of the summer window, and the Arsenal defender has been in the news over the March international break.
White was recalled to the England team by Thomas Tuchel for the first time since 2024, when he refused to play for the Three Lions.
As per The Metro, White fell out with Holland, who was Southgate’s assistant at the time, and that ultimately led to the defender leaving the England camp.
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The Athletic adds that Holland made a comment in front of the other England players and staff about White’s admission in an interview that the player did not like football.
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Steve Holland could join Michael Carrick’s permanent appointment
United fans want Carrick to stay permanently in the summer, and he will likely want Holland to join him at Old Trafford full-time if he is offered the job.
Carrick has hinted at talks with Ineos over the permanent job, but he still faces competition from the likes of Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique.
READ MORE: Forget Steve Holland, Man Utd’s actual biggest coaching success story is flying under the radar
If Carrick and Holland are kept on at Old Trafford, any links to White can be discarded given the frosty relationship between the defender and coach.
Signing a right-back is on the agenda at Old Trafford, but a midfield overhaul is expected to take priority.
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