Manchester United may be heading for another major managerial decision as fresh reports link former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane with a potential move to Old Trafford.
The Premier League giants are still searching for a long-term replacement for Ruben Amorim, following a turbulent spell that forced the club back into transition mode. Although Michael Carrick has steadied the team as interim manager, speculation continues to swirl around who will permanently take charge at the end of the season.
Carrick, a former United midfielder, has enjoyed an impressive start to life in the dugout, guiding the team to three consecutive wins and restoring some stability within the squad. However, despite his progress, high-profile names are already being discussed behind the scenes.
One of those names is Zidane, the legendary Frenchman who has been out of management since leaving Real Madrid for the second time in 2021. The three-time Champions League-winning coach has long been admired across Europe and is widely regarded as one of the game’s elite managers.
Former Manchester United defender Wes Brown believes Zidane would be a dream appointment for the club if Carrick does not remain in the role beyond this season. Speaking on the possibility, Brown said Zidane possesses the “X-factor” and personality needed to command respect in a dressing room that has seen several big-name managers come and go.
“United have had so many big-name managers that it’s tough,” Brown said. “I’d throw Zinedine Zidane in there. I’d love that. But again, it’s about personalities.”
Brown noted that Zidane’s stature alone could help re-establish authority within the squad and excite supporters desperate for a world-class appointment. However, he also warned that the club must ensure any new manager fits perfectly into United’s structure to avoid the internal disputes that undermined previous regimes.
A major concern for the United hierarchy is the challenge foreign managers face adapting to the Premier League. Brown pointed to the struggles of Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, both of whom found consistency hard to achieve amid off-field tensions.
“Is it going to work getting in someone who’s not worked in the Premier League? That’s a big question,” Brown added. “You don’t want to be in the same situation again. Everything has to be clear from day one.”
Despite the growing links to Zidane, Carrick continues to strengthen his case for the permanent job. His calm approach, connection to the club’s history, and early results have earned him widespread support from fans.
Brown admitted that while something clearly went wrong during Amorim’s reign, Carrick has shown enough to suggest he may be more than a stop-gap solution.
“We won’t get carried away, but I think most fans would say Michael is doing a great job and a good enough job to stay on,” he concluded.
As the season nears its end, Manchester United face a familiar dilemma: stick with stability or gamble once again on a global superstar.
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