Manchester United have been dealt a major blow in their hunt for a new permanent manager, with Luis Enrique set to turn down the role and sign a new contract with Paris Saint-Germain instead, according to the i Paper.
The Red Devils have been on the search for their next manager since January when they sacked Ruben Amorim following a 14-month spell in charge filled with defeats and disappointments.
Michael Carrick has since come in on an interim basis and steered the team to third place, seven points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea and on the brink of Champions League qualification. That had given Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox hope of convincing Enrique to make the move to Old Trafford, but they look set to be disappointed.
Luis Enrique to Turn Down Man Utd Jobluis enrique
Enrique, who has been described as 'the best manager in the world', has won everything there is to win at PSG and was set to see his contract expire in 2027, with some speculation that the two parties were far apart on a new deal.
However, it has now emerged from sources in France that the Spaniard is close to a new agreement and will 'almost certainly' sign an extension, ruling him out of the running for the Man Utd manager's job.
Man Utd sources have insisted that no contact has been made with any candidates yet about the role, and won't be until the end of the season where they know exactly what conditions they have. However, by then, Enrique is expected to be off the market.
That will leave the Reds going back to the drawing board to find the ideal candidate, with some reports suggesting that the job is currently Carrick's to lose after his performance in the role since taking over.
Man Utd Should Move Now for Enrique
luis enrique psg
While it now seems inevitable that Enrique will stay in Paris with the side he made European champions for the first time in their history, it's never a done deal until pen is on paper, and that isn't the case yet.
If United really want to be the best in class, as INEOS have stated on many occasions, then the 55-year-old is the clear and obvious candidate for the job, and they should be doing absolutely everything they can to bring him to Old Trafford before he signs a new deal.
The news that the best in the world will be making the switch to the club in the summer would only serve to excite fans, and give players a reason to step up their game and impress their new boss, rather than derail any push for the Champions League.
GIVEMESPORT asked ChatGPT what a Luis Enrique lineup could look like if he took over at Man Utd, and this was its response:
A Luis Enrique team would likely be possession-heavy, high-pressing, and fluid in attack (often 4-3-3).
Potential XI (4-3-3)
GK: Senne Lammens
RB: Diogo Dalot
CB: Lisandro Martínez
CB: Jean-Clair Todibo (new signing)
LB: Luke Shaw
CM (DM): João Neves (new signing)
CM: Kobbie Mainoo
CM: Bruno Fernandes
RW: Michael Olise (new signing)
ST: Benjamin Sesko
LW: Marcus Rashford
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