Roberto De Zerbi has been touted as a future Manchester United manager and their figures from their rivals have talked up the Italian
Roberto De Zerbi has been linked with the Man United managerial post.
Roberto De Zerbi has been linked with the Man United managerial post.(Image: Getty Images)
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Manchester United have been handed a glowing endorsement of Roberto De Zerbi by Liverpool rivals Steven Gerrard and Virgil van Dijk amid managerial links.
The Marseille boss has been touted as a potential candidate to be Ruben Amorim's permanent successor following his dismissal earlier this month. De Zerbi was previously linked with the managerial role at Old Trafford during his impressive time at Brighton & Hove Albion before his move to Ligue 1.
He has continued to forge his way in the dugout, helping transform the French giants into an exciting force capable of challenging Paris Saint-Germain's stronghold at the summit. They locked horns with Premier League opposition on Wednesday but saw their Champions League qualification hopes dented as Liverpool ran out 3-0 winners at the Stade Velodrome.
However, the focus for the praise on Marseille was focused on their manager with Gerrard lauding the head coach. He said: "He's box office, he's box office.
"I think Brighton was great for him, it announced him to the Premier League, it took his stock a lot higher. For me, I look at De Zerbi, the fans, it's a match made in heaven.
"Although, he was at Brighton, there's a winner, a fighter in there, a bit of Conte in there, he's box office, he's great to watch and I'm looking forward to seeing what he does against this Liverpool team."
Michael Carrick will remain in interim charge at Old Trafford until the end of the season. He has enjoyed a strong start to his second temporary spell in charge with a 2-0 win over rivals Manchester City.
However, it hasn't simmered the speculation surrounding a new arrival at the Theatre of Dreams this summer with De Zerbi mooted.
The Marseille boss has 18 months remaining on his deal after penning a three-year deal on arrival in southern France. Van Dijk lifted the curtain on what type of team United could be like under his guidance.
The Liverpool captain said post-match: "It's always difficult to play against De Zerbi teams, I'll say it like that.
"Because if you're not front-footed, if you are a little bit late in your press they can play out pretty easy and obviously keep on playing and taking a risk.
"If you are winning those balls in between the lines, there's plenty of space to exploit and I thought we did that pretty well."
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