Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been mentioned as a potential manager at Manchester United, but there seems to be other candidates ahead of him in the pecking order
Unai Emery
Unai Emery has been tipped to turn things around at Man United(Image: PA)
View 3 Images
Jamie Carragher has insisted that Aston Villa boss Unai Emery should be the frontrunner for the Manchester United job ahead of this weekend's Premier League clash between the two sides.
United welcome Villa to Old Trafford looking to further cement their spot in top four places. Michael Carrick has managed to lift the club into the Champions League spots after a fine start to life as interim head coach.
It remains to be seen whether Carrick will be kept on beyond the current season, with initial plans suggesting that a more experienced head would come in to take charge for the 2026/27 campaign.
Thomas Tuchel was an early contender to come in after the World Cup, but the England boss recently signed a new contract with the Three Lions. Luis Enrique and Carlos Ancelotti have also been touted, though no progress has been made of either.
Emery has been at Villa since 2022, leading them to consistent European adventures, including the Champions League. The Midlands outfit are currently one of the favourites to win the Europa League, a competition that Emery has won four times in his coaching career.
Despite his glowing CV, links to the United job have been very quiet in comparison to other names.
Ahead of this weekend's clash, Carragher has questioned why the Old Trafford outfit don't have the Spaniard at the top of their list, while also claiming it would be naive to not think he'd be keen on the opportunity.
"Unai Emery should be heading to Old Trafford this weekend as the frontrunner to become the next Manchester United manager," he said in his column with The Telegraph.
"I suspect he does not rank high among the candidates. That is good news for Aston Villa, but it must be frustrating for one of the best, and still most underrated, coaches in Europe. For Emery not to be under serious consideration says plenty about modern football. By any metric, he would be the perfect coach to revive United. For me, only Pep Guardiola ranks higher of those currently managing in England.
Unai Emery
Unai Emery has been at Aston Villa since 2022 and has made them into a force(Image: PA)
View 3 Images
"Here is a manager who wins trophies, has a clear football vision, a track record of revitalising clubs in need of a mini-revolution to break into the Champions League, and who demands respect while leading with authority. Add the fact he is now proven in the Premier League, and such coaches are in short supply."
Carragher added: "At Villa, it seemed like Emery appointed his own sporting director when Monchi arrived, and when there was a disagreement about transfer policy, the executive left. That will carry weight with members of United’s board, even though candidates should be judged on their coaching and managing skills, not how their arrival would affect the job security of those above them.
Ruben Amorim as Manchester United manager
Ruben Amorim was sacked by Manchester United in January(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
View 3 Images
"It has reached a point where if a younger, up-and-coming version of Sir Alex Ferguson was on the market, some sporting directors would probably hesitate to approach him because they would fear for their own relevance.
"The suggestion that United’s boardroom would chew Emery up and spit him out like Arsenal and PSG after the first bad spell has merit. If he started a new season as he did at Villa Park last August, Emery would be fire-fighting and it would make it tougher to lead such a spectacular revival as he has.
"Despite this, it is naive to believe Emery would not be attracted by the United job if he felt they really wanted him."