Chris Sutton has now pointed out a manager he believes could be a better alternative to Roberto De Zerbi for Manchester United this summer.
Despite continuing as normal right now, speculation seems to be increasing all of the time in regards to Erik ten Hag’s future.
Despite the excellent job Ten Hag did at Ajax before arriving in England in 2022, the Dutchman has failed to provide adequate optimism for the future with recent performances.
The arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe appears to be a beacon of change, and many believe that will begin with a new manager.
For context Ten Hag has a win rate of 59% during his 105 games as Manchester United boss.
And for comparison, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (54%) and Jose Mourinho (58%) did have a similar rate of success.
So whilst Erik ten Hag hasn’t been a huge downgrade on those tenures by any means, he hasn’t exactly taken the club forward, nor is there sufficient reason to believe he will soon do so.
That being said, Chris Sutton has now presented a possible solution whilst speaking on the ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ podcast.
Chris Sutton believes Man United should consider Unai Emery ahead of Roberto De Zerbi
Chris Sutton was speaking alongside Ian Ladyman, who seemed adamant that Erik ten Hag would soon leave the club.
And on that logic, Sutton actually thought Man United would be better off considering Aston Villa boss Unai Emery, rather than the often linked Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi.
Speaking on the podcast, Sutton mulled over the idea of Emery getting a top job once again.
He said: “It wouldn’t surprise me. What happened at Arsenal I don’t think people can hold it against him forever.
“You look at the job he has done and managed big clubs before, PSG – he won the title in France. He has won four Europa Leagues.
“You are talking about a high class, high quality manager who has gone in at Villa and taken them to the next level. In footballing circles, in the higher echelons, I am pretty sure he will be highly respected.
“De Zerbi is in the frame. De Zerbi has done a brilliant job at Brighton but if you look at track records, and De Zerbi is of course younger than Emery, Emery has won more than De Zerbi, so why should De Zerbi get the nod over Emery? There’s a great debate to be had.”
Would Unai Emery leave Aston Villa for Manchester United?
Of course, with Aston Villa all but set to be in the Champions League next season – would Emery actually leave?
It seems that De Zerbi, who Sutton certainly wouldn’t consider a bad appointment for United, would be a lot easier to tempt away from Brighton.
But similarly, Emery might relish the chance to prove his credentials at a top, top English club once again.
All that being said, it should be respected that Ten Hag is still the Manchester United manager for now.
And despite all of this speculation, it certainly doesn’t seem too impossible that it could remain that way next season.
And with that considered, Ten Hag has admitted that one injury this season has been ‘underestimated’ in its impact.
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