Departing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been linked with the Manchester United job
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola
Andoni Iraola has been praised for his work with Bournemouth(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
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Manchester United have been linked with appointing Andoni Iraola after confirmation that he will leave Bournemouth at the end of the season. The Spanish coach has earned plenty of plaudits during his three-year spell on the south coast.
United are still searching for a permanent successor to Ruben Amorim, who was sacked in January. Interim boss Michael Carrick has put the team firmly in the race for a Champions League place but will not be the only contender for the vacancy.
Iraola reportedly has admirers at Old Trafford but United would expect to face competition for his services as he approaches the end of his Bournemouth deal. The 43-year-old has also been touted as Ernesto Valverde’s possible successor at Athletic Club, where he spent 12 years as a player.
However, the opportunity to lead one of the world’s largest clubs could prove too tempting to turn down. If he is named the new United boss in the summer, Iraola would face several key decisions at the start of his reign.
Double Bournemouth swoop
He could be joined at United by two members of his current squad next season. Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi and defender Marco Senesi have both emerged as transfer targets.
Teenage striker Kroupi has enjoyed an eye-catching season, reaching 10 league goals after scoring against Arsenal last weekend. The Daily Mail reports that United are monitoring the 19-year-old, who has also gained interest from Liverpool and Chelsea.
Bournemouth would likely demand a hefty fee for the French forward, given that his contract runs until 2030. However, Kroupi has proven himself prolific in the top flight, averaging a goal every 125 minutes, and could be a long-term striker for United.
Eli Junior Kroupi of Bournemouth
Eli Junior Kroupi has starred for Bournemouth this season(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
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The Mail also claims that United are interested in centre-back Marcos Senesi. The 28-year-old has been a virtual ever-present for the Cherries this season and is set to leave as a free agent.
Iraola has previously given several Bournemouth players the tools to thrive elsewhere. Manchester City’s Antoine Semenyo and Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen are among those who reached a new level after leaving the Cherries, and United would hope that Kroupi and Senesi could follow that blueprint.
Casemiro replacement secured
A major area United will need to address in the summer is centre midfield. Casemiro has announced he will be leaving the club in the summer, and finding a replacement to partner a rejuvenated Kobbie Mainoo will therefore be a top priority.
While several midfielders have been linked with heading to Old Trafford, Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson would perfectly fit the bill. Despite the England international reportedly favouring a move to Manchester City, Iraola could make a statement by convincing the 23-year-old to change his mind.
Anderson is widely expected to leave Forest this summer and has been tipped to make a £65million move to City. The midfielder has started all 32 of Forest’s league games so far this season.
Alternatively, a further raid on Iraola's soon-to-be former club for standout performer Alex Scott could also fill the vacancy. Scott has long been linked with United and is on the periphery of the England set-up himself.
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes remains Manchester United's most important player(Image: Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Resolve Bruno Fernandes’ future
Bruno Fernandes has been pivotal for United since arriving from Sporting CP in January 2020. The Portuguese midfielder has just over a year remaining on his contract and Iraola would be keen to resolve the captain’s future, if he takes the United job.
The 31-year-old has registered 25 goal contributions in 29 league games, demonstrating his importance to the team. Meanwhile, Fernandes recently made it clear what would be required for him to stay at Old Trafford.
He told The Telegraph: “What I always say to the club is, ‘You can’t promise me that I’m going to win the Premier League. That’s impossible. But if you promise me that we’re going to be competitive and we’re going to be there at the end... that’s all I need to know.'
"Because then it’s on me to become the best version of myself, to help everyone around to become the best version of themselves, to become the club we want to be.”
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