Man Utd ‘think Luis Enrique ticks three boxes’ despite Mauricio Pochettino interest
Rangnick comments on Pochettino to Man Utd links
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Manchester United think Luis Enrique ticks three boxes as they look for a new manager, according to reports. The Spain boss has long indicated he won’t leave his post with the national team before the World Cup in Qatar later in the year. Yet while Mauricio Pochettino is the frontrunner to take over, the ex-Barcelona and Roma boss is another name in the frame.
United sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the end of November before bringing Ralf Rangnick in as an interim replacement.
Yet with the club’s season going from bad to worse, the German isn’t in the frame to land the role on a permanent basis.
Recently, United have been strongly linked with Pochettino.
They’ve admired the Paris Saint-Germain boss for a number of years, with interest dating back to when the 49-year-old worked at Southampton.
It’s been claimed United players would like Pochettino to be the club’s next boss, having been impressed by his managerial career so far.
However, ESPN say United are also admirers of Enrique and believe he ticks three boxes.
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It’s said they believe he possesses the technical credentials to take over at Old Trafford, which includes playing attacking, entertaining football.
United have gone for more defensive-minded bosses such as David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho in the past.
But they want somebody capable of thrilling supporters and Enrique, during his time at Barcelona in particular, delivered on that front.
United also thinks Enrique possesses a ‘winning track record’, too.
The 51-year-old had a massive 76 per cent win record during his spell at Barcelona, where he won two La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey trophies and the Champions League in 2015.
And he’s done well with Spain, helping them re-emerge as a force on the international stage having struggled to live up to the standards of old.
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A third box United thinks Enrique ticks is his experience of coaching world-class players, having been one himself.
Yet whether they’re able to bring him in remains to be seen.
In November, when quizzed on the possibility of taking over at Old Trafford, Enrique delivered a brutal response by saying: “Is today April Fools’ Day?”
For now, Pochettino is still the frontrunner to take the reins.
PSG may even sack the 49-year-old if they fail to make it past Real Madrid in upcoming Champions League matches.
Erik ten Hag is another name on United’s shortlist, having done well at Ajax since taking over nearly five years ago.
Meanwhile, though United are eyeing Enrique, Pochettino or Ten Hag, Louis Saha recently called on his old side to pursue Zinedine Zidane instead.
Zidane is currently a free agent having left Real Madrid back in the summer, shortly after missing out on the La Liga title to Atletico Madrid.
And Saha said: “I think Zidane would be the perfect fit.
“Maybe Manchester United need to become more of an attractive proposition to get him – I don’t know. For me, Zidane is the best candidate.
“As a manager, he would improve the confidence of some players.
“Look at what Zidane has won, not just as a player, but in management.
“He has also has a history of developing young players and brought some to a level they never expected. I really like his profile and I think that he would do amazing things there.”
Saha was then asked if Zidane’s limited grasp of the English language could deter him.
And the former United No 9, who won two Premier League titles at Old Trafford during his career there, said: “Maybe that is one aspect because he’s not well-known as a great communicator in English, but he knows that.
“As I said, communication is so important for any manager so the players can understand his tactics and his philosophy.
“If he doesn’t feel comfortable communicating in the English language, that could be a reason because its important.
“The guy’s charisma speaks for itself. His pedigree as well, but maybe sometimes it’s not enough.”
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