Manchester United are yet to take a decision over who will be the club’s manager next season, but Portuguese national team boss Roberto Martinez can now be added to the shortlist.
While Michael Carrick is doing an excellent job right now, winning five of his six games at the helm, the former Manchester United midfielder has yet to make himself undeniable.
With other names on the shortlist such as Carlo Ancelotti and Thomas Tuchel dropping away, United are being forced to cast the net wider to weigh up options.
Now, Roberto Martinez has entered the fold.
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Manchester United weighing up Roberto Martinez
The problem behind United’s managerial pursuit is the World Cup with a handful of options set to be involved and so wouldn’t be available until mid to late July.
Martinez falls into that category, being the Portuguese head coach, who are widely expected to go far in the competition.
Roberto Martinez claps Portuguese fans.
Photo by Alex Nicodim/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Now, reporter Ben Jacobs has told The United Stand has explained that Martinez is being considered by United.
The former Everton boss is being internally discussed by Ineos as they create an extensive shortlist of viable options.
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Gary Neville claimed United’s search was already underway, with the Carrick success no doubt having an impact as he probably sits in pole position right now.
Martinez would be a very unpopular decision from United, given his brand of football is in many ways the antithesis of the club’s DNA.
But he would have one supporter in the dressing room.
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Roberto Martinez looks back in coat
Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images
Bruno Fernandes would love Martinez appointment
While Old Trafford might not be that supportive of Martinez becoming head coach, Bruno Fernandes would.
Fernandes has been a massive success in Martinez’s system for Portugal, with the head coach hailing the United captain earlier this week.
Martinez labelled Fernandes a leader who is respected, while also has a plan on how to deploy him best.
“I think he’s very unfairly assessed, I would say, because I think if we are very objective, to be the captain of Manchester United in the last three or four years, I bet it’s been incredibly tough at every level.
“And what I appreciate from him is he never hides. Never hides. And I’m not going to value if he makes the right pass, the right execution. But whatever happens in any action, he’s the one that is, he’s a leader. He’s a leader.
“And the way he’s very emotional, but in a very respected way by his teammates. When the teammates see Bruno upset, they react, they know that is something.”
Given the support he would have from the manager, perhaps Martinez would manage to keep Fernandes at the club.
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