Jamie Carragher has tipped Unai Emery to be Manchester United's next manager, saying the Aston Villa boss would want to finally prove himself at a major European club.
Following Sunday's 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth at Old Trafford, Michael Carrick is under significant pressure, with it largely expected that he will not be in the dugout at Stamford Bridge this weekend.
Carragher's Pick for Old Trafford
Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte have been the mooted candidates not currently employed, while there is also admiration for Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler and Villa head coach Emery.
The latter has successfully rebuilt his managerial reputation in the Midlands, and before that at Villarreal, having been sacked from two huge roles at Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain. His shortcomings at those two clubs is exactly why Carragher wants to see him take up the reins at Old Trafford.
He said on Sky Sports: "[Emery] is a manager I look at when I think about Manchester United. I think he is the best manager in the Premier League. But I've got this thing with him.
"Yes, his record in the Europa League is amazing, but surely somebody who is that successful wants to be known in the Champions League.
"He wants to win the Champions League. He's not going to do that at Aston Villa. He's had two experiences that haven't gone particularly well for him, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal. And I just think surely he would want that opportunity to prove himself at an absolute giant of a football club. Sorry, Villa fans."
Emery's Villa Rebuild
Emery won his fifth Europa League title with Villa last season before seeing the spine of his team gutted. Replacements subsequently joined and, despite a challenging start, Villa are unbeaten in their last eight games with seven of those as victories.
Ending Manchester City's 100 per cent winning start in the Premier League was the latest of those, with Nicolas Jackson, who replaced Ollie Watkins, grabbing a brace.
United chiefs are said to have been particularly impressed by how he rebuilt the Villa squad in just one transfer window despite losing five key players. Bringing in a head coach with that talent will unsurprisingly not come cheap, however, with it claimed he is earning between £10m-£12million at Villa.
Carrick's Future Unclear
As things stand, Emery leaving Villa for United does not look likely, and there is yet to be official confirmation over Carrick's future.
Having been knocked out of the Carabao Cup, United have a clear week ahead of facing Chelsea on Saturday lunchtime. Xabi Alonso's side are also fresh off a significant blow having lost to London rivals Tottenham.
Cole Palmer was sent off in that 2-0 defeat but will serve his suspension in their fourth round clash away to Liverpool on Wednesday.
