Manchester United’s Coaching Transition and Future Prospects

In light of persistent challenges in achieving consistency both on and off the field, Portuguese coach Amorim was relieved of his duties on January 5. Darren Fletcher initially took over as caretaker manager, but the role has since transitioned to interim head coach Michael Carrick.

The club is expected to strategize its long-term plans during the summer. Manchester United has already been linked with several high-profile candidates, including Oliver Glasner, Thomas Tuchel, Gareth Southgate, and Luis Enrique.

However, pundits are suggesting that the club should consider Mauricio Pochettino, who has a wealth of Premier League experience from his tenures at Southampton, Tottenham, and Chelsea. Currently preparing the United States team for a home World Cup, Pochettino’s contract will expire after the tournament.

There is speculation that he may receive an approach from Manchester United, having previously been on their radar. He could potentially bring along Cole Palmer, a Wythenshawe native and United supporter who joined Chelsea during Pochettino’s tenure there.

Rene Meulensteen, a former assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson, noted, “Could Mauricio Pochettino convince Cole Palmer to come to Manchester United? Only if Chelsea would be willing to let him go. Palmer is a fantastic player who would fit well into Manchester United’s style of play as he is a game-changer.”

He further commented on Palmer’s position and the existing competition, stating, “You’d need to consider how he fits in, especially on the right side, alongside players like Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes in central roles. It’s peculiar that United hasn’t explored Palmer’s situation with City more thoroughly.”

Meulensteen also addressed other potential coaching candidates linked to United, including Barcelona and Real Madrid legends Xavi and Zinedine Zidane. He remarked, “Zinedine Zidane is intriguing as he has been out of work for some time. While he knows the club and the language, his limited English could be a barrier. Moreover, he is accustomed to managing top-tier talent, which is not always the case at Manchester United, raising concerns about compatibility.”

He continued, “Manchester United may favor candidates who are willing to work with the current squad’s limitations, which makes Zidane a less likely choice. On the other hand, Xavi might not be a risk, as we’ve seen several managers without prior Premier League experience succeed, provided they have a clear vision for their playing style.”

It appears that Manchester United is leaning towards appointing someone with extensive experience in English football, which could exclude both Xavi and Zidane from consideration. Additionally, the likelihood of them securing Cole Palmer from Chelsea in the near future seems slim, especially as the Red Devils approach a historic low for games played in a single trophy-hunting campaign.