Manchester United have been linked with a number of managers ahead of the summer, but there is one candidate who stands out from all the names that have emerged in recent months.
Michael Carrick is currently in charge of the Red Devils, but he may only have a couple of months left on the bench.
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The former Manchester United midfielder and assistant to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer only has a contract until the end of the season. But after an impressive period as coach – since he took over from Ruben Amorim in January – there is a real chance that he will get the job on a permanent basis.
Where Manchester United will eventually land remains to be seen. One thing is certain: It is a decision of enormous importance for the club. The appointments of both Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim have proven to be costly steps in recent years.
Man Utd in talks to upgrade Carrick
According to Football Transfers, Manchester United are one of the teams that have held talks with former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso before the summer.
Alonso has not yet decided where he will go next, and the report claims that United are one of five teams that have been in contact with the manager.
United have not yet decided whether to offer Carrick a permanent contract. But if a manager like Alonso is available, many believe that you simply have to go for it.
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Why Alonso is a giant upgrade
The 44-year-old Spaniard would be a huge upgrade compared to Carrick – no matter how good a job the latter has done at Old Trafford this season.
Alonso has far more experience at the absolute highest level. Carrick, on the other hand, has yet to be a manager in European competitions during his short coaching career.
United have also been linked with Julian Nagelsmann, who is currently in charge of the German national team in the run-up to the World Cup, but Nagelsmann has never been a manager in the Premier League – making him a riskier choice for the Red Devils.
– Alonso is “elite”
Admittedly, Alonso has not been a manager in England either. But he spent a large part of his active career there as a player – and therefore knows exactly what it takes to succeed in the Premier League.
Alonso, who many describe as “elite”, went unbeaten in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen all season. That performance alone should be enough for United to choose him over Nagelsmann.
