One thing is for sure, Manchester United, if they are to secure someone who is at the top of their manager’s list, must be prepared to spend very big money.
Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti and Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique have both been linked with the Manchester United job.
Manchester United executives have reportedly met with the agent of Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique to discuss the permanent manager’s job. TEAMtalk has revealed co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s list of five candidates.
Manchester United appointed Michael Carrick on an interim basis until the end of the season after sacking Rúben Amorim on January 5. Carrick has done a fantastic job in the early stages of his second interim assignment, leading United to three straight Premier League wins.
That streak includes impressive victories over title chasers Manchester City and Arsenal, with United now occupying fourth place as they aim for Champions League qualification for next season.
The greatly improved results and performances under Carrick mean that he is a participant in the competition for the job on a permanent basis.
Read: This is what Manchester United stars say about Michael Carrick
But United do not want to rush a decision, as it is still early in Carrick’s rule. There could be more elite coaches available this summer, with contracts expiring shortly after the World Cup.
According to a “team of five elite reporters” on X, formerly Twitter, PSG mastermind Enrique has emerged as a prime target for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.
United executives “met with agent Ivan de la Peña in Paris last week”. He works for Enrique’s representatives, De la Peña and Sostres.
United “tried to convince Enrique to reject PSG’s new contract offer”. This is not the first time United have been linked with the two-time Champions League winner, as they were first credited with interest in him last month.
There were suggestions that Enrique might be unhappy at the Parc des Princes amid talks to extend his contract. But both the Spaniard and Fabrizio Romano dismissed the speculation on January 12.
Former Arsenal, Chelsea and France star Emmanuel Petit claimed on January 20 that the “circus” INEOS has created at Old Trafford will cost them a world-class managerial appointment like Enrique.
Carlo Ancelotti and Mauricio Pochettino are both on the club’s radar, and they will be clubless when their respective contracts with Brazil and the United States expire after the World Cup.
Manchester United involved in managerscramble
Roberto De Zerbi is a long-term target for United after the great work he has done at both Brighton & Hove Albion and Marseille.
Then there is the rising Premier League pair of Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola. Glasner led Crystal Palace to the FA Cup last year and has confirmed that he will leave Selhurst Park this summer, while Iraola has made Bournemouth play an exciting type of attacking football.
The likes of Thomas Tuchel, Julian Nagelsmann and Sir Gareth Southgate have also been linked with the United job.
But United could face competition from other elite clubs such as Real Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester City for new managers this summer.
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