Who is Chris Armas? The American set to join Man Utd’s coaching staff

Manchester United are set to hire former New York Red Bulls manager Chris Armas, according to multiple reports on Monday.

The American, who worked with Ralf Rangnick during his time at the Red Bull franchise, is set to become the interim manager’s first coaching recruit since taking over at Old Trafford.

However, the Athletic also claimed on Monday that Ragnick will bring in sports psychologist Sascha Lense to join his backroom staff, with the pair working together previously at RB Leipzig.

What’s been reported?

ESPN’s Taylor Twellman first broke the story and claims the coach’s work visa has been approved.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano also tweeted on Monday to say Armas will effectively replace Michael Carrick, who left the club last week.

It is also believed Armas is a disciple of Rangnick’s high-pressing approach, the first signs of which were evident in the win over Crystal Palace.

Who is Chris Armas?

The 49-year-old was born in New York and played for LA Galaxy and Chicago Fire during his playing career, spending nine years with the latter and playing more than 250 games for the club. Armas also earned 66 international caps for the USA.

After retiring, he went into coaching with Chicago, before joining New York RB in 2015. Armas became manager of the club in 2018 and led them to a first-place finish in the Eastern Conference.

Armas left New York in 2020 and was hired as Toronto manager within a few months. However, he lasted just six months in the role after a poor start to the season.

Has Rangnick brought in any other coaches?

Armas and Lense could be Rangnick’s first appointments to the coaching set-up after he last week claimed he would only make ‘one or two’ additions to the current coaching set-up.

“I am more than happy to work with the current coaching staff because I need their experience and expertise regarding the current squad,” Rangnick said on Friday.

“I will obviously try to find one, two, maybe three people who can join us in the next one or two weeks but due to the Brexit regulations it is not that easy.

“Many of my former colleagues, no matter if it is video analysts or assistant coaches, are in long-term contracts with big clubs, so they are not available right now. We have to be a little bit smart and clever and find the right people.

“I hope that we can get them in here in the next one or two weeks but I cannot tell you any names.”

Rangnick also revealed he attempted to persuade Carrick to remain with the club after he discovered the ex-midfielder was set to leave last week.