Manchester United are monitoring Bayern Munich assistant coach Aaron Danks with a view to bringing him to Old Trafford, according to sources. Interim manager Michael Carrick has reportedly identified the 42-year-old as a key target for his backroom staff should he be appointed to the role on a permanent basis.
Carrick, who took temporary charge following the departure of Erik ten Hag, is said to be planning his long-term coaching setup despite the uncertainty over his own position. Sources indicate that Danks, currently working under Vincent Kompany at the Bundesliga club, is high on his wishlist. The pair have a strong existing relationship from their time together at Middlesbrough, where Danks served as Carrick's trusted lieutenant before his move to Germany in 2024.
Danks has built a varied and respected coaching CV over the past decade. He began his career within the England youth setup before moving into senior football with Kompany at Anderlecht in 2021. He then spent time in the Premier League as an assistant at Aston Villa, working under Dean Smith, Steven Gerrard, and Unai Emery. His tactical acumen and adaptability across different footballing philosophies are understood to have impressed Manchester United officials, who have conducted background checks on the coach.
The interest forms part of a wider process at United, who are conducting due diligence on several potential coaching additions to support Carrick's potential permanent tenure. The club's new backroom structure already includes Steve Holland and Jonathan Woodgate, who arrived following Carrick's interim appointment. Bringing in Danks would further solidify Carrick's chosen team and represent a clear step towards him stamping his authority on the club's sporting direction.
For Danks, the move would represent a return to English football and a reunion with a manager he knows well. His current situation at Bayern Munich remains stable under Kompany, but the opportunity to join Manchester United in a significant role is likely to be a compelling prospect. No formal approach has been made to Bayern Munich at this stage, but the interest from Old Trafford is described as concrete.
The potential appointment hinges primarily on the decision over the managerial position. United's hierarchy, led by INEOS, is still evaluating its options, with Carrick's interim spell serving as an extended audition. Should he secure the job permanently, a move for Danks is expected to accelerate swiftly. For now, it remains a clear indication of Carrick's planning and his desire to surround himself with familiar, trusted personnel as he looks to shape United's future.
