While Manchester United might head into October’s international break sat in the top-four, it doesn’t cover what has been a largely inconsistent start to the 2021/22 campaign.
Throwing away the lead at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon as they saw Everton snatch a deserved 1-1 draw, some sections of the United fanbase have made it clear that they do not think Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the man to take them forward.
With their Norweigan boss entering his fourth season with the former Premier League champions, many from across England feel that this is Solskjaer’s season to finally mount a serious title charge.
However, showing some European issues since opening their Champions League adventure last month, the Reds have failed to gain any momentum heading into the second international break.
With returning icon Cristiano Ronaldo cutting a frustrated figure after Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Everton, we have taken a look at a few potential candidates who could be in line to replace Solskjaer down the line.
Erik ten Hag – 33/1 with 888sport
Heavily linked with a potential move to Tottenham over the summer as a candidate to replace Jose Mourinho on a full-time basis, Erik ten Hag has only continued to gain quite the reputation from across Europe.
Guiding Ajax to the top of the Eredivisie, despite suffering a shock 1-0 loss against Utrecht over the weekend, the 51-year-old has gained a string of fans from across the continent for his youthful approach.
Shooting himself to managerial stardom after guiding Ajax to the semi-finals of the Champions League on a stunning run two years ago, the one-time Bayern Munich coach has once again seen his side lay down another European marker.
Managing to get the best out of former West Ham misfit Sébastien Haller, the Dutch giants have opened this season’s Champions League adventure with back-to-back victories.
However, if Manchester United were keen on bringing ten Hag over to the Premier League, they could face some stern competition from another European heavyweight.
With it looking increasingly likely that Ronald Koeman will be given his marching orders from Barcelona, Marca reported on Monday that the Ajax boss is one of the key names on their shortlist.
Antonio Conte – 18/1 with Betfair
While Solskjaer might still waiting to bring a piece of silverware to Old Trafford as he enters his fourth season in the dugout, Antonio Conte has only continued to gain a reputation as a serial winner over recent times.
Shocking many across Italy last season as he guided Inter Milan to their first Serie A title in a decade, the one-time Juventus boss also received plenty of praise in transforming Romelu Lukaku into one of Europe’s most lethal marksmen.
However, failing to agree to new terms with the San Siro hierarchy given Inter’s financial issues, Conte now finds himself as a managerial free agent and waiting for a new adventure.
Also one of the candidates on Tottenham’s wishlist over the summer, the 52-year-old has made it no secret that he is already looking to jump straight back into a new challenge somewhere across Europe.
While Conte might have gained a reputation as one of the more difficult managers for people from behind the scenes to work with, the now-former Inter Milan manager has a CV that speaks for itself.
Famously leading Chelsea to the Premier League title back in 2017, he has eight major trophies to his name and would certainly offer Manchester United some real experience.
Zinedine Zidane – 12/1 with Unibet
While Conte might be one heavyweight name on the managerial free agents’ list, he is not the only heavyweight coach who is eagerly awaiting his next post.
With it announced over the summer that Zinedine Zidane would be ending his second reign at Real Madrid after they missed out on retaining their La Liga crown, the French icon has previously been linked with a move to Manchester United.
Guiding Los Blancos to three consecutive Champions League titles during his glittering time at the Bernabéu, Zidane was heavily linked with the former Premier League champions towards the end of Jose Mourinho’s time in charge.
While many thought that the 49-year-old could be set to join Juventus in what would have been a blockbuster return to Turin, Zidane still remains without a new challenge.
If Manchester United were to reignite their interest in the former Madrid boss, it would also hand Zidane the chance to once again work with his former talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Famously forming a close relationship as they racked up a string of European medals during their time together in the Spanish capital, there is no doubt that Zidane knows how to get the best out of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
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