Former Premier League club managed by ex-Man Utd coach hailed as ‘best team in League One history’

Barnsley boss Michael Duff has labelled Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town as the ‘best team in League One history’ based on statistics this season. The former Manchester United coach has worked wonders at Portman Road since his move there last year and is eyeing promotion to the Championship.

McKenna, who is 36-years-old, worked at Old Trafford from 2018 to 2021 and was first-team coach under both Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Ralf Rangnick. He then left the Premier League giants for a new challenge in East Anglia and his side currently sit 2nd in the third tier table.

They are a point above 3rd position Sheffield Wednesday and a point below top of the table Plymouth Argyle. The Tractor Boys take on Barnsley on Tuesday evening at Oakwell and their manager Duff has said, as per BBC Radio Sheffield: “Statistically they’re the best team in League One history, so I’ve been told. Obviously it’s a data-run club so we get a lot of data on opposition. They’re not top of the league but statistically they’re the best in League One history.

“A lot has been made of the money they have spent but if you look at Chelsea, just spending a lot of money on good players doesn’t mean you’ll win.

“They’re a big club, with good players and they have a very definite way of playing. It should be a really good game. These are the games that everyone wants to be involved in, it’s a brilliant game.”

Prior to his move to United, McKenna had stints at Leicester City, Nottingham Forest, Vancouver Whitecaps and Tottenham Hotspur. He is a bright young coach and has a bright future ahead of him in the game.

Another former Red Devils man who is aiming for promotion is Michael Carrick at Middlesbrough. His side are 4th and will battle it out in the play-offs this term.