Manchester United are on the lookout for a new boss after sacking Ruben Amorim and Rio Ferdinand has sensationally claimed Mikel Arteta would consider the job if he got a call
Mikel Arteta has Arsenal sat top of the Premier League
Rio Ferdinand insists Mikel Arteta would be interested in the Manchester United job
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Rio Ferdinand has sensationally claimed that Mikel Arteta WOULD consider taking the Manchester United job if the call came his way - despite his long-term ambitions at a thriving Arsenal side.
The powerbrokers at Old Trafford find themselves looking for a new manager for the second time in less than 18 months after dismissing Ruben Amorim on Monday. The Portuguese head coach was given his marching orders amid mounting tensions in the north west, with his explosive post-match press conference at Leeds proving to be his last act.
Darren Fletcher will take charge in midweek against Burnley with the plan being to appoint a caretaker manager until the end of the season before pursuing a permanent boss in the summer.
The likes of Oliver Glasner and Xavi have already been touted as options as speculation over United's next manager ramps up. And while Arteta, currently enjoying life at his old club, Arsenal, is not in the conversation, it was put to Ferdinand that Arteta would turn the Red devils down - but the former United defender wasn't having it. "Nah, I don’t buy it, I do not buy it," he said on the latest episode of Rio Ferdinand Presents. "He’s never gonna say it, he would never say it out loud. But I’m telling you, Mikel Arteta would sit there [and consider it]."
Arteta has overseen a huge turnaround at the Emirates having taken charge more than six years ago. He is without a trophy since 2020 but has helped the Gunners re-establish themselves as a force, domestically and in Europe. His team boast some of the globe's best players, including Declan Rice and William Saliba.
He's shown no desire to leave north London and is poised to finally get the monkey off his back with Arsenal six points clear at the top. Silverware appears to be close whilst United will need to embark on another rebuild job with the team miles away from being title challengers.
Ruben Amorim was given his marching orders on Monday morning
Ruben Amorim was given his marching orders on Monday morning
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Arteta got the better of Amorim on the opening weekend of the season as Arsenal left Old Trafford with all three points, although the hosts were certainly competitive. The Portuguese head coach leaves with the team three points outside the top four, but with performances remaining an issue.
Amorim's outspoken nature also counted against him eventually. Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel: "I saw his last two press conferences and I was thinking, 'Something isn’t right here'… this guy, one of his best traits and most likeable things has been his ability to be quite punchy in his press conferences, upbeat, jovial. The last two that he did looked depressing."
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