Manchester United's coaching staff is led by Michael Carrick, who chose to have Travis Binnion as one of his assistants, with the coach having a huge impact behind the scenes
Travis Binnion has stepped up the coaching ranks in Manchester
Travis Binnion has stepped up the coaching ranks in Manchester
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Manchester United have enjoyed a renaissance under Michael Carrick with a lesser known name in Travis Binnion proving a crucial cog in his coaching team.
The Red Devils are firmly back in the Champions League picture having lost just once under Carrick and Binnion's rapid rise up the coaching pyramid in Manchester has proved a huge win - with his connection to the academy a major flex following the failings of the last regime.
Binnion stepped up from the Under-21s after Ruben Amorim was sacked in January and has quickly the settled into a position of authority within the senior squad. He has become close to Harry Maguire, who was one of the first players to welcome him into the fold in January.
The 39-year-old is also known to have a strong relationship with Kobbie Mainoo, who is back in favour under Carrick. He has helped coach the midfielder since he was in the U14s at the club. The Sun reports that Binnion's previous roles at the club also mean he has a huge influence over which youth players train with the first-team on a weekly basis. His knowledge of players coming through the ranks and close relationship with Fletcher helps support the club’s development of their youth talent.
It is understood that this way of working is of stark contrast from the Amorim era, when the Portuguese coach requested youngsters as temporary cover for specific positions or drills, but seemed to have little interest in blooding in the next generation.
Amorim wasn't shy in criticising Mainoo, who was relegated to a squad player role, and also hammered the performance levels of 18-year-old striker Chido Obi and left-back Harry Amass, also 18, who is on loan at Championship outfit Sheffield Wednesday. Parents of academy stars were concerned about the prospects of their children making it into the first-team environment whilst Amorim was in charge.
Michael Carrick was keen to have Travis Binnion in his coaching ticket, with the coaching having a good relationship with Kobbie Mainoo
Michael Carrick was keen to have Travis Binnion in his coaching ticket, with the coaching having a good relationship with Kobbie Mainoo(Image: Getty Images)
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Carrick and director of football Jason Wilcox decided Binnion would prove a huge asset and should remain in the first-team environment to help bridge the gap between the first team and the academy after initially being promoted for Darren Fletcher‘s brief two-game caretaker stint.
It was very evident that Binnion was going to be quickly judged, something he knew himself, by the first-team players who had seen an immense amount of change and underperformance across a relatively short period.