Kieran McKenna has opened up on how Manchester United’s coaching staff are staying in touch with the players and making sure everyone is ready when football returns to action.
The Premier League season has been suspended over the coronavirus and all hints from football’s governing bodies is that efforts will be made to complete the current campaign.
Speaking to The Impartial Reporter on the squad staying fit during the pandemic, coach McKenna said: “It is very important and there is a lot of communication. There’s WhatsApp, Skype, Zoom and FaceTime so the fitness coaches are really on top of their individual programmes physically.
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“As coaching staff we try and communicate with them as much as possible and send them out videos and things to do with the team’s performance. Mostly it is just trying to keep the lines of communication open and let the players know that we are here supporting them. It is a difficult time but everyone is in it together.”
The UK is in lockdown and it remains to be seen how long it will last.
They cannot allow games to take place until it is safe, and shouts for games to be played behind closed doors are being echoed.
You would think at the biggest clubs, like United, that a big effort is being made to make sure the players are staying fit.
All players have been provided with food and exercise programmes, as revealed by United full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka (via ManUtd.com).
Exercise is also good for our mental health and with so much free time now, don’t be surprised if we hear some players are putting the extra mile in.
United have a lot to play for if the season resumes.
The Reds are in contention for a top-four spot, have a FA Cup quarter-final to look forward to, and are among the favourites to win the Europa League.
In the same interview, McKenna spoke about his goals at the club, adding: “Everyone inside the club knew it was going to be a big transition, especially this season. There has been a lot of experienced players who have left in the last 18 months and, as I said, I think we have the youngest team and the youngest squad in the league.
“With all things considered though there has been a lot of positives to take from it. There has been some big performances and results against big teams and there has been signing that the playing style is getting to where we want it. But, everyone knows there has been inconsistencies as well and some below par performances with points dropped.
“As you said, it has been up and down and the most important thing that everyone inside the club is aware of is that we need to stay balanced, stay working hard behind the scenes and keep pushing. Everyone needs to do everything they can to get that club back up to the top of the league and back competing for the top honours in England and in Europe.”
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