Zinedine Zidane headlines list of five managers Manchester United could appoint tomorrow

Manchester United are on the lookout for a new permanent boss after relieving Erik ten Hag of his managerial duties. On Monday, it was confirmed the Dutchman had left his position at Old Trafford with Ruud van Nistelrooy taking interim charge.

It remains to be seen which direction United will go in when it comes to finding a permanent successor. They have already been linked with a host of big names, but many of them will be expensive to appoint because they are tied down to their clubs.

As a result, United may be forced to turn to a manager who is currently out of work.

Express Sport takes a look at the best unattached candidates who could be appointed as early as tomorrow…

Zinedine Zidane

Zidane has not had a managerial job since the end of his second spell in charge of Real Madrid three years ago. He led the Spanish giants to three successive Champions League titles, showing that he knows what it takes to deliver results at the very highest level.

However, it was recently claimed by Thierry Henry that Zidane would reject the chance to manage another club because he has his sights set on the France national team.

Speaking on CBS Sports, Henry said: “I think he is waiting for the national team, so I’m not going to go there. I think he is waiting for one thing and one thing only and that’s the national team.”

Xavi

Xavi has been out of work since stepping down from his role in charge of Barcelona last season. He was initially linked with the United job during the summer, when the Red Devils considered making a change before handing Ten Hag a new contract.

According to The Independent, United have already reached out to Xavi through intermediaries to gauge his interest in joining them. However, the report adds that he is seen as ‘highly unlikely’ to step into the Old Trafford dugout.

Gareth Southgate

Southgate, like Xavi, was linked with United in the summer and reportedly spoke to club officials at the end of last season. He was in charge of England at the time but is now unattached following his decision to step down after the Euros.

The 54-year-old has not taken charge of a club side in over a decade, having most recently managed Middlesbrough between 2006 and 2009. He recently ruled out a return to coaching within the next year, but only time will tell if United attempt to persuade him otherwise.

“I need to give myself time to make good decisions,” said Southgate earlier this month. “When you come out of a really big role you need to give your body time, you need to give your mind time. I’m enjoying my life so there’s no rush.”

Graham Potter

Potter is another potential candidate for United who has been without a job in football for quite some time. The 49-year-old has not taken any jobs since leaving Chelsea two years ago, instead choosing to bide his time and wait for the right opportunity.

It seems unlikely that he would turn United down if they were to come calling, but whether they would view him as a suitable replacement for Ten Hag is another question.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

He couldn’t, could he? A return to United for Solskjaer would certainly raise eyebrows across the football world, but it seems the Red Devils are reluctant to dismiss the possibility of going back in for their former manager.

Those in power at Old Trafford are yet to rule out a potential approach for Solskjaer to replace Ten Hag on a permanent basis, according to the Manchester Evening News. There is no doubt that it would be a huge surprise, but stranger things have happened…