Manchester United consider Zinedine Zidane as a possible replacement for Erik ten Hag should they pull the trigger on the Dutchman.
According to The Times, Zinedine Zidane features on Manchester United’s shortlist of candidates to replace Erik ten Hag. Despite the increasing pressure on the Dutchman, the club hasn’t made a decision on his future yet. But should they pull the trigger, the former Real Madrid manager should come into consideration.
Old Trafford is not a good place at the moment following a dreadful run of results. Manchester United’s recent loss in the Carabao Cup to last season’s finalists, Newcastle United, showed the crowd’s mood, who did not appear happy with the team and their manager’s performances.
Many reports suggest Erik ten Hag remains on the brink of getting the sack, significantly if Manchester United falter again at the weekend against Fulham. Even if they win, the Dutchman’s future will have doubts hanging over his head, as he must do much more to convince people otherwise.
The defeat to Newcastle ensured Manchester United surrendered the defence of the only silverware they won under the Dutchman last season. That midweek defeat was also their fifth home loss of the season in all competitions, with three coming in the Premier League.
Overall, Manchester United have won five and lost as many games in ten Premier League fixtures, opening up an eight-point gap between them and the top four. Many have already discounted their chances of making it into next season’s Champions League. They are currently sitting third in their group after a disastrous start to their European campaign.
Some fans are already calling for the club to sack ten Hag, while reports have linked Manchester United with several high-profile names. Unai Emery is reportedly a target to replace the Dutchman, although there are doubts whether the Spaniard would leave his project at Aston Villa.
Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim also features on their list, where Zinedine Zidane’s name also gets a mention. The Frenchman could become a top contender should the Manchester United board pull the trigger on ten Hag’s time at the club.
Zidane remains one of the formidable names on that shortlist. But he has been without a job since ending his second spell at Real Madrid in 2021. In his first tenure at the club, the legendary Frenchman won three Champions Leagues on the trot, and hence is considered an enormous name to take over at Manchester United.
Whether the former Real Madrid manager has the nous to help a ‘sinking ship’ like Manchester United remains the question. However, he has the experience and knowledge to deal with big-name personalities that ten Hag has somewhat struggled with.
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With names like Zidane and Amorim lingering around in the background, the pressure is truly on ten Hag to start delivering results. The Dutchman appears hanging by a thread at the moment at Manchester United, and a few more bad results could prematurely end his time at Old Trafford.
