Man Utd looking to hire ‘best manager in Europe’

Manchester United’s defeat to Leeds United on Monday sent a timely reminder that maybe interim managers shouldn’t always take the permanent gig.

After a good start, Michael Carrick has now won two of his last five games and has undoubtedly lost the support of INEOS, who are now looking elsewhere.

Just when it looked like the Red Devils could have a repeat of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, their biggest rivals handed them a reality check that Carrick couldn’t pay.

Who comes now is the big question. Several names are already threatening to steal the headlines, including Julian Nagelsmann.

The latest in the hunt for a Man United manager

Nagelsmann is undoubtedly one of the best new managers in Europe. He could be the best player in that position with reports emerging in recent days that United’s management will hold talks with his camp.

In short, he is everything Man United thought Ruben Amorim could be and more, but he would not bring a guarantee of success at Old Trafford.

The German manager was exposed for his weaknesses at Bayern Munich, who wanted classic success from a manager who walked around the training ground on a remote-controlled skateboard. It couldn’t be right when Nagelsmann rolled through the door.

While Nagelsmann’s side tend to go forward too often, with his Bayern side scoring 255 goals in just 84 games, there are concerns defensively.

It is worth noting that this Man United team is not close to the level of his Bayern team. While his form saw the Bavarians concede a goal in one game, they have since scored 33 goals in 31 games in Germany and could do some serious damage at Old Trafford.

At a time when the Premier League is so chaotic, it pays to open up defensively even if that leads to some much-needed attacking displays.

There has to be balance from whoever comes in and, like Bayern, it’s hard to imagine a world where Sir Jim Ratcliffe is a fan of Nagelsmann’s skateboard.

The German should be one of the best candidates, but Man United’s best choice should still be Luis Enrique. The Paris Saint-Germain manager is as close to Pep Guardiola as they’re going to get.

Indeed, according to United reporter David McDonnell, INEOS are eyeing Man United’s Enrique in what could be a good signing this summer.

He is on a managerial shortlist that includes Aston Villa’s Unai Emery and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola.

Why Enrique would be better than Nagelsmann

It will feel like Groundhog Day to those at Old Trafford when Enrique arrives, but this time is different. This is not Jose Mourinho or Louis van Gaal.

This is not a big name for the sake of a big name. Instead, this is a new innovator, a European champion, and someone the Premier League needs like Man United.

He did the seemingly impossible for PSG by winning the Champions League and a historic treble last season. Even Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar could not get such an honor. The Spaniard, however, in the system instead of the individual team, has turned the French giants into the best team in Europe.

23 defeats in 164 games is an impressive record and while some may question the quality of opposition in Ligue 1, it is worth noting who PSG have come up against in the Champions League.

They beat Chelsea and Liverpool in Europe this season, beat Barcelona at the Nou Camp in the league stage and beat Real Madrid in the Club World Cup in the summer.

Over the years, the biggest concern for any senior manager at Man United would be the recruitment of their system. Those concerns, with INEOS in charge, should be put to rest.

The Red Devils have had a busy recruitment drive over the past 12 months and should hire the man dubbed “the best manager in Europe” by Jamie Carragher to top it all off.

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