Manchester United are currently in the process of hiring a permanent head coach and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has spoken highly about one of the candidates.
Ineos have given themselves time to choose the next permanent Manchester United head coach by putting Michael Carrick in interim charge for the rest of the season.
Carrick has 16 games remaining, and after his impressive 2-0 win over Manchester City in his first match, he may fancy his chances at challenging for the permanent position himself.
Would you want Roberto de Zerbi to be Manchester United’s next permanent manager?
What reasons for and against stand out to you?
Roberto De Zerbi on the touchline giving instructions.
Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates /Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
In the meantime, there are as many as 12 managers linked with United ahead of the summer.
Ineos would prefer Premier League experience, and that explains why United are linked with Roberto De Zerbi.
Roberto De Zerbi in the dugout as Marseille take on Bayeux FC in the French Cup
Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images
Virgil van Dijk praises Man United candidate Roberto De Zerbi
Ineos ranked De Zerbi highly on the list of candidates to replace Erik ten Hag before ultimately deciding to go with Ruben Amorim.
The Italian remains on United’s radar, and De Zerbi commented on the United job this week. Despite insisting he was happy at Marseille, he did not close the door on the opportunity.
More United News
Marseille were beaten 3-0 by Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, and Reds captain Virgil van Dijk praised Roberto De Zerbi and his staff after the full-time whistle.
Who do you think will be Man Utd manager at the start of the 2026/27 season?
🔮 Let us know who you believe will and should be in charge? Who will Ineos appoint?
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
“Marseille is a very good team, very good players, very good managers, we had to be very good, defensively we were very good, offensively we could have been better,” Van Dijk said, as quoted by La Provence.
“They had some chances as well, we needed Ali at his best, but overall I’m very pleased with tonight’s performance.”
Roberto De Zerbi is ‘one of the best coaches in the world’
De Zerbi is Rio Ferdinand’s pick for the next United job, and his experience in charge of Brighton could make him a leading candidate.
It seems that he is popular among players. Not only was Van Dijk very complimentary, but also new signing Ethan Nwaneri.
As per Foot Marseille’s Tik Tok, Arsenal loanee Nwaneri said: “He’s one of the best coaches in the world.
READ MORE: Man Utd could seize major Carlos Baleba advantage by appointing the manager who signed him
“He’s demanding. I’m ready to play under him and ready to listen to what he wants for the team.”
De Zerbi has already been interviewed by Ineos back in 2024 when they were considering a change of manager.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox