A report over the weekend claimed the 46-year-old is highly regarded by the United hierarchy, who are impressed by his track record of producing exciting attacking football with a dominance of the ball. De Zerbi is currently out of work after he left Marseille last month after they lost 5-0 to Paris Saint-Germain and failed to progress in the Champions League.
De Zerbi would certainly come with an element of risk due to his high demands, with one of the reasons he left Brighton being the lack of support he received in the transfer window. The Italian is proven in the Premier League, though, and could be viewed as a more exciting appointment than Michael Carrick.
United insist they will not rush their decision to appoint a new head coach this summer, and here is how they could line up under De Zerbi in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
De Zerbi likes a goalkeeper who can play out from the back and Lammens would get the chance to do that.
1. GK - Senne Lammens
De Zerbi likes a goalkeeper who can play out from the back and Lammens would get the chance to do that. | Getty Images
United need to reinforce at full-back this summer but Dalot will likely keep his place for another season.
2. RB - Diogo Dalot
United need to reinforce at full-back this summer but Dalot will likely keep his place for another season. | Getty Images
De Zerbi wants his centre-backs to be comfortable on the ball and Maguire is good at linking play from deep.
3. CB - Harry Maguire
De Zerbi wants his centre-backs to be comfortable on the ball and Maguire is good at linking play from deep. | Getty Images
Martinez could be an excellent centre-back for play under De Zerbi.
4. CB - Lisandro Martinez
Martinez could be an excellent centre-back for play under De Zerbi. | Getty Images