Unai Emery is understood to be on Manchester United’s five-man shortlist of potential replacements for Michael Carrick, but there are doubts over his fit. The Aston Villa manager is said to choose his own sporting director and deal directly with ownership, according to the Daily Mail. According to Football365.com.
Emery’s reported structural demands complicate United’s managerial search
The Daily Mail reports that sources in the game believe United’s current structure would not necessarily suit Emery. He is said to choose his own sporting director and deal directly with ownership rather than a director of football or a CEO, given the power he wields.
The newspaper nonetheless describes Emery as one of the best managers in the Premier League and a dream target if United move on from Carrick in the coming weeks. He is understood to be on a five-man shortlist. Julian Nagelsmann, Eddie Howe and Antonio Conte are among the other names linked with the job.
Carrick’s position has steadied for now after the Red Devils beat Roma 3-2 on Tuesday night, recovering from two goals down against the Serie A side. The result ended a nine-match winless run in all competitions, during which they had lost their last three matches.
Carrick will now almost certainly be in charge when the November international break arrives, which is seen as a key landmark in his tenure. The United hierarchy have a couple of weeks to decide his future. Emery’s Villa side face United at the weekend, in their final match before the break.
Asked whether the Roma win could be a turning point, Carrick said it was one game and “it depends on what happens next”. He praised Youri Tielemans, who came on after Carlos Baleba had to go off, and added that he was feeling a lot better about things.
