Alan Wright, a seasoned former defender with a rich Premier League pedigree, has been named as part of Manchester United’s coaching team ahead of Wednesday night’s Premier League fixture against Burnley (8.15pm kick-off).
This announcement comes as Darren Fletcher steps in as interim manager following the recent departure of Ruben Amorim and his coaching staff on Monday. Fletcher will be supported by Jonny Evans, who retired from playing last season, Under-21s manager Travis Binnion, and Alan Wright, serving as a professional development phase coach.
Wright’s playing career spanned top-flight clubs, including a significant spell at Aston Villa, which he joined from Blackburn Rovers in 1995. Standing at just 5ft 4in, he was one of the Premier League’s shortest players but was known for his exceptional skill and tenacity. He contributed to Villa’s 1996 EFL Cup triumph and later appeared for Middlesbrough, Sheffield United, and on loan at clubs such as Leeds United, Cardiff City, Doncaster Rovers, and Nottingham Forest.
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Between 2007 and 2009, Wright played for Cheltenham Town under Keith Downing, where his experience proved invaluable. His leadership helped Cheltenham secure their League One status with a decisive final day victory over Doncaster Rovers in May 2008. Wright scored once for the Robins in a thrilling 2-2 draw against Crewe Alexandra, providing a late goal that momentarily put Cheltenham ahead.
Following his time at Cheltenham, Wright joined Fleetwood Town in 2009 before transitioning fully into coaching. His managerial resume includes a stint as Southport’s manager and over a decade leading Manchester City’s academy Under-16s. Recently, he has brought his expertise to Manchester United’s coaching ranks, focusing on player development at the professional stage.
As Manchester United prepares for a challenging fixture against Burnley, Wright’s vast experience as both a player and coach is expected to add significant value to Fletcher’s interim management team.