Manchester United’s problems undoubtedly extend far beyond the playing team, but given the nature of modern football, it is the manager and players who suffer the most criticism.
Ruben Amorim has been the man to lead the club for the past 14 months, but that came to an abrupt end this week after he was fired by the board.
The 40-year-old’s outburst after the clash with Leeds United last weekend was the final straw for the manager, who has won just 25 of his 63 matches at the helm.
15th place in the Premier League last season would undoubtedly have played on the minds of senior management, such a ranking being unacceptable for a club of the caliber of the Red Devils.
However, although Darren Fletcher has taken the reins on a temporary basis, the search for a long-term solution to the management problem at Old Trafford has already begun.
Elite level manager now excited about move to Man Utd
Over the past 24 hours, rumors have swirled about who could become United’s latest manager, with former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær now keen to return.
The Norwegian spent three years in charge at Old Trafford having signed a full-time contract following his own temporary spell at the helm in December 2018.
He was sacked in November 2021 after a dismal run of form, but a sensational return could be on the cards if the hierarchy decide to give him the chance in Manchester.
However, he is not the only option currently available to them, with Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola being another manager who could replace the outgoing Amorim in the near future.
According to TEAMtalk, the Spaniard is said to be keen to discuss terms with United’s hierarchy regarding a potential deal, with his deal set to expire at the end of the campaign.
The report also states that the 43-year-old is hugely admired by staff at Old Trafford, which could see him rise on the list of potential targets in the coming weeks.
Another part of the article confirms that despite his interest in the job, he would prefer a summer move to have a real opportunity to make his mark – with an interim boss expected until the end of the season.
Why Iraola would be United’s Arteta
Although Arsenal is a club that very few United fans like, the fanbase will no doubt feel an ounce of jealousy towards the Gunners under Mikel Arteta.
The Spaniard has transformed the club from Premier League strugglers to title challengers, as evidenced by their three successive second-place finishes.
However, this year he could be set to end the club’s two-decade wait for a First Division title, with his men currently six points clear at the top of the table after the first 20 outings.
The 43-year-old has given fans a reason to be proud of their club – unlike United – something Iraola also did with the Cherries – but certainly on a different level to his compatriot.
Iraola, who like Arteta hails from the Basque region, took charge of Vitality in the summer of 2023, going on to lead the club to their first ever top-half finish in the Premier League in 2024/25.
He worked closely with the South Coast recruitment team, often bringing in many high profile youngsters and turning them into Premier League regulars.
The Red Devils have followed a similar path in recent years, but ultimately they haven’t had the right manager to implement the right strategy to get the best out of their players.
Iraola has become one of the best managers in the Premier League in a short space of time, leading Sky Sports pundit Sam Tighe to dub him the ‘best young manager in the world’.
He achieved a win rate of 37% at Vitality, winning 40 of his 108 matches in charge – and doing so on a shoestring budget compared to what he would have had at United.
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Andoni Iraola – PL statistics |
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|---|---|
|
Statistics |
Scoring |
|
Managed Games |
96 |
|
Victories |
33 |
|
Prints |
28 |
|
Losses |
35 |
|
Goals scored |
143 |
|
Goals conceded |
151 |
|
Points earned |
127 |
|
Points per game |
1.32 |
|
Win percentage |
34.3% |
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Statistics via Transfermarkt |
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His time at Bournemouth made him one of the most talented young managers in Europe, but it is unclear whether he will be able to replicate such feats at Old Trafford.
However, his track record of competing in the Premier League and developing young talent are two positives that could give him the chance to be the Red Devils’ next boss.
The similarities with Arteta are for all to see, with such a gamble potentially catapulting the club into a title fight over the next few years if they decide to back him.
Better than Glasner: Man Utd begin talks to hire one of the ‘best in the world’
Manchester United appear to be making progress in appointing a new manager.
