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 enlisted the expertise of record-breaking track and field coach Harry Marra as a temporary consultant, aligning with Sir Dave Brailsford’s vision of achieving long-term performance improvements. Marra, an internationally respected athletics specialist, has been offering guidance at Carrington, a move largely influenced by INEOS.
Ruben Amorim’s high-intensity 3-4-3 formation places significant physical demands on players, requiring relentless running both in and out of possession. United have struggled in this aspect due to a lack of athleticism within the squad. To address the issue, the club has not only secured a £25 million deal for Lecce’s left-wing-back Patrick Dorgu but has also brought in Marra to refine player performance. His insights are expected to shape training methods that will benefit the team for years to come.
According to The Athletic, the 78-year-old is providing expertise on critical aspects of athletic performance, including running mechanics, with a focus on enhancing speed and endurance. Marra was recently spotted in a United tracksuit sitting near Sir Alex Ferguson in the directors’ box during the club’s 2-1 Europa League victory over Rangers.
United’s interim performance director, Sam Erith, is believed to have recommended Marra for the role, leveraging his experience from previous work in the United States. Before joining United, Erith held a senior role at Madison Square Garden Sports Corp, collaborating with the New York Knicks and New York Rangers on player performance strategies.
Marra’s short-term engagement was arranged with Amorim’s approval, and several United players are even considering hiring personal coaches to meet the physical demands of both the Premier League and Amorim’s tactical philosophy. The Portuguese manager made it clear upon his arrival that only those prepared to “run like mad dogs” would have a future at the club.
Renowned for his scientific approach to movement analysis, Marra has coached some of the world’s top athletes, including two-time decathlon world record-holder Ashton Eaton and Olympic heptathlon medalist Brianne Theisen. In 2016, he was named World Athletics Coach of the Year and also played a key role in guiding Lalu Muhammad Zohri to Indonesia’s first-ever medal at the World Junior Championships in 2018.
This appointment is expected to be one of several short-term expert recruitments as INEOS and Brailsford implement their strategic approach, drawing from their successful methods in other sports.
