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MANCHESTER UNITED

Chris Armas: who is the US coach set to join Manchester United?

Armas has played and coached in the MLS and will be announced as part of Ralf Rangnick's coaching staff at Manchester United over the coming days.

Update:
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: General view of play during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on December 05, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Jan KrugerGetty Images

Life at Old Trafford has started well for new Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick. His side ran out 1-0 winners over Crystal Palace on Sunday in what was the German's first game in charge of the Premier League club.

Darren Fletcher and Kieran McKenna were in the dugout alongside Rangnick at the weekend. Both have stayed on at the club after the sacking of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. After just a few days in the role, Rangnick is now ready to appoint his own coach.

Chris Armas will be the new face at United, with his arrival set to be announced in the coming days, according to The Athletic. Armas, 49, has managed New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC and spent time at Island Rough Riders, LA Galaxy and Chicago Fire as a player.

Rangnick adding to coaching staff

In a press conference last week, Rangick discussed the idea of bringing his own coaches to the club. "I will obviously try to find one, two, maybe three people who can join us in the one or two weeks but due to the Brexit regulations it's not too easy," he said.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United v Crystal Palace - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - December 5, 2021 Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick with technical director Darren Fletcher REUTERS/Phil Noble EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No
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Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United v Crystal Palace - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - December 5, 2021 Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick with technical director Darren Fletcher REUTERS/Phil Noble EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No PHIL NOBLEREUTERS

Who is Chris Armas?

Armas played 264 MLS matches with stints at the LA Galaxy and Chicago Fire. The former midfielder also represented the US men’s national team, making 66 caps across his playing career.

In the summer of 2018, he became head coach of New York Red Bulls after former manager Jesse Marsch left the club to join Bundesliga side RB Leipzig as an assistant. Armas was dismissed after two years at the helm, before joining Toronto FC. Less than six months into his role at the Canadian outfit, he was sacked, following a 7-1 defeat by D.C. United.

How does Rangnick know Armas?

Rangnick and Armas worked together at New York Red Bulls when Rangnick was the head of sport and development for Red Bull’s clubs in New York and Brazil while Armas was head coach. Armas, who has been out of work since being fired by Toronto FC earlier this year, is a well-respected coach in the American soccer community.

When will he join United?

ESPN report that Armas has been granted a work permit and will travel to England in the next few days to take up the coaching role.