‘World’s best young manager’ willing to join Manchester United

Manchester United’s problems undoubtedly go far beyond their squad, but given the nature of modern football, it is the manager and players who bear the brunt of the criticism.

Ruben Amorim has led the club’s forwards for the past 14 months, but his position came to an abrupt end this week when he was sacked by the board.

The 40-year-old’s outburst after last weekend’s game against Leeds United was the final straw for the manager, who has won just 25 of his 63 games in charge.

Finishing 15th in the Premier League last season no doubt resonated with senior staff, and for a club as prestigious as the Red Devils, such a result was unacceptable.

But despite Darren Fletcher taking over temporarily, the search for a long-term solution to Old Trafford’s management problems has already begun.

Elite-level manager keen on move to Manchester United

Rumors have swirled over the past 24 hours as to who could be appointed as United’s latest manager, with former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær also said to be interested in returning.

The Norwegian spent three years in charge at Old Trafford, after briefly taking over in December 2018 before signing a full-time deal.

He was sacked in November 2021 after a dismal run of form, but could make a sensational return if the bosses decide to give him a chance in Manchester.

However, he is not the only option at the moment, with Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola also likely to replace the outgoing Amorim in the near future.

According to TEAMtalk, the Spaniard is keen to discuss the terms of a potential deal with United executives as his contract expires at the end of the campaign.

The report also states that the 43-year-old is highly admired by the staff at Old Trafford and could see him move up on the list of potential targets in the coming weeks.

Elsewhere in the article, it was confirmed that despite being interested in the role, he wants to move on in the summer to have a proper chance to make his mark, with the interim manager expected until the end of the season.

Why Iraola is United’s Arteta

Arsenal is a club few United fans like, but there is no doubt that the fan base feels a tinge of jealousy at the direction Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are taking.

The Spaniard has transformed the club from struggling sides in the Premier League to title challengers, as evidenced by three consecutive second-place finishes.

But this year he could be about to end the club’s 20-year wait for a top division title. The team currently leads the table with a six-point difference after the first 20 games.

The 43-year-old has given the fanbase a reason to be proud of their club – unlike at United, Iraola has also done so at the Cherries – but he is clearly on a different level to his compatriot.

Iraola, who hails from the same Basque Country as Arteta, took charge of Vitality in the summer of 2023, before leading the club to first place in the top division for the first time in their history in the 2024/25 season.

He has worked closely with South Coast’s recruitment team, acquiring a number of top-level young players and developing them into players capable of consistently performing in the Premier League.

The Red Devils have followed a similar path in recent years, but ultimately they have not had the right manager to implement the right strategy to get the best out of their players.

Iraola has established himself as one of the Premier League’s top managers in a short period of time, with Sky Sports pundit Sam Tai calling him “the best young manager in the world”.

He achieved a 37% win rate with Vitality, winning 40 of his 108 games in charge, and did so on a shoestring budget compared to what he would have earned at United.

His time at Bournemouth has made him one of Europe’s most talented young managers, but it remains to be seen whether he can repeat that feat at Old Trafford.

However, his track record of winning the Premier League and his development of young talent are two positives that could give him the chance to become the Red Devils’ next manager.

The similarities with Arteta are obvious for all to see, and a gamble like this could put the club back into title contention in the coming years if they decide to back him.