McCarthy, who has previously coached Cape Town City FC and AmaZulu in the Premier Soccer League, has been appointed the first team’s striker coach at United.

McCarthy is South Africa's all-time leading goal scorer in international football and remains the only player from the country to win the UEFA Champions League during his time with FC Porto.

The United manager, Erik ten Haag, explained that McCarty has experience as a world-class striker, while his coaching experience in the PSL will also come in handy.

“There was still one place in our coaching staff that I wanted to fill. Someone with a different voice and Benni is that one.

“He has experience as a manager. He was a coach at professional level and he was a former striker, a successful striker as well.

“He will focus on the positioning and attacking,” said Ten Hag.

“I am not saying only the strikers, but also the integration from the full-backs and midfielders. Our way of play has to be dynamic.”

As a player, McCarthy also played in the English Premiership and scored 37 goals in 109 games for Blackburn Rovers, while he also made 11 appearances for West Ham United.

United will get their English Premiership season underway on Sunday when they welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to Old Trafford.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport