This Arsenal star hates Man United’s new coach – and here’s why
Manchester United are expected to appoint Steve Holland as Michael Carrick’s interim number two.
Carrick is set to take charge of Man United until the end of the season, after Ruben Amorim was dismissed last week.
The 44-year-old is available after leaving Middlesbrough last summer, but he is not expected to take on the job full-time.
Man United are reportedly targeting Oliver Glasner for a summer appointment, with the Austrian likely to leave Crystal Palace at the end of his contract.
Football Insider revealed on Tuesday that Glasner is also a contender for the Tottenham job, should Thomas Frank be dismissed in the coming weeks.
Ben White’s uncomfortable relationship with Steve Holland
Man United‘s new assistant coach served under Gareth Southgate at England for nearly a decade, leaving when the 55-year-old did in 2024.
Holland then went to Japan to manage Yokohama Marinos, where he was sacked after just 15 games in charge.
Arsenal fans will remember his name for a different reason, however. Ben White made his England debut in 2021, and was selected for both the 2020 European Championship, and the 2022 World Cup.
| Ben White – England caps | Date |
| Austria (H) | 2/6/21 |
| Romania (H) | 6/6/21 |
| Switzerland (H) | 26/03/22 |
| Ivory Coast (H) | 29/03/22 |
But after just three games of the latter competition, the defender left the camp for personal reasons, and he has never made another appearance for England, despite consistently impressing for Arsenal.
Southgate continuously opened the door for White in the media in the two years following, rubbishing any ideas of an internal issue despite admitting that the 28-year-old had rejected his calls on several occasions.
In 2024, The Telegraph revealed that the reason behind the Englishman’s absence stemmed from a fall-out with Holland.
The assistant had reportedly suggested that White was not interested in football, in a moment witnessed by several other members of the squad.
And while the pair shared a private conversation on the same day, the right-back declared his intention to leave the camp just days later.
What has Thomas Tuchel said about Ben White return?
In March 2025, Thomas Tuchel confirmed that White is keen to make his return to the England squad following the changes to staff.
The 28-year-old has suffered harshly with injuries over the last two years, however, and may have to wait for a chance while largely sitting behind Jurrien Timber at Arsenal.
Despite picking up another recent injury, which he has subsequently returned from, this season White has looked more like the defender the Gunners enjoyed watching three years ago.
“Absolutely not,” said Tuchel when asked if White has again refused to play for England. “He loves to be back in the squad.
“It’s a bit too early given the seriousness of the injury he had and I’m delighted he’s back. We’ve been monitoring his training – huge compliments to the medical and performance department of the FA and thanks to everyone at Arsenal. We are on it and we are speaking to Ben.
“It’s now a question about getting more minutes and rhythm. He has has every chance to be back. He wants to and he’s glad to be back.”