Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher said Aston Villa manager Unai Emery would be the “perfect manager” to revive Manchester United.
Carragher believes Emery is the “first choice” to take charge this summer and should head to Old Trafford for Villa’s game against United on Sunday (live on Sky Sports). Instead, it appears that Michael Carrick, who has never held a permanent job in the Premier League, will take up the position.
“I suspect he is not ranked highly among the candidates,” Mr Carragher wrote in a column for the Telegraph. “This is good news for Aston Villa, but it will be frustrating for one of Europe’s best and still most underrated managers.
“It says a lot about modern football that Emery is not being seriously considered. By any measure, he would be the perfect manager to revive United.”
“Emery is a manager who commands with authority but commands respect, with a track record of winning trophies, with a clear footballing vision and a track record of reinvigorating clubs that need a small revolution to qualify for the Champions League.”
Sunday, March 15th 12:30pm
Kickoff at 2pm
There is no reason for Carrick to be in this position. United won six of the eight games he was in charge of and lost just one. They also took away Emery’s villa in the standings. When the two teams meet on Sunday, it will be the third and fourth plays that will be decided only by goal difference.
This match could have a decisive impact on the contention for Champions League football. Wayne Rooney believes Carrick should get the job if United qualify. With one win in their last five league matches, it is clear that Villa will be absent.
Carragher believes Carrick’s chances will only improve if United surpass Villa, but believes Emery is England’s second-best manager after Pep Guardiola. He would like to be included on Liverpool’s shortlist if Arne Slott leaves.
Emery, who celebrated his 100th win as Villa manager with Thursday’s Europa League victory over Lille, is under contract until 2029, but similar issues continue to spark speculation linking him with the likes of Thomas Tuchel and Julian Nagelsmann for the Old Trafford job.
Carragher believes Emery’s desire to be in full control as manager is a “significant factor” in United’s apparent lack of interest. The club’s new football structure has faced criticism for being seen as going too far.
After United sacked Ruben Amorim in January, it emerged that he felt he was being micromanaged. There was also a falling out with athletic director Jason Wilcox shortly before his resignation.
Mr Carragher wrote: “Mr Emery’s appointment is effectively a means of strengthening the role of oversight and diminishing the role of directors. It is therefore likely to be a source of friction in the future.”
“At Villa, Emery appears to have appointed his own sporting director when Monchi arrived, but the executive left after disagreements over transfer policy.
“Candidates should be judged on their coaching and management skills, and this will be important to United’s board members, if not how their appointment will affect the job security of those above them.
“If Sir Alex Ferguson’s young up-and-comer were to be put up for sale, some sporting directors would probably be reluctant to approach him for fear of being associated with him.”
Carragher feels that Emery’s shortcomings at Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal are “emphasized as much as his triumphs elsewhere”, rather than being seen as experiences that helped his development.
However, the Sky Sports pundit admits Emery may not have been able to bounce back so smoothly from Villa’s five-game winless start to the Premier League season in the glare of the Old Trafford spotlight.
Carragher added: “There is some truth to the suggestion that United’s board will chew Emery up and spit him out after an initial slump, like at Arsenal and PSG.”
“If we start the new season like we did at Villa Park last August, Emery will be on fire and it will be even more difficult for him to lead such a great comeback.
“Nevertheless, it would be naive to think that Emery wouldn’t be attracted to the job if he felt that United really wanted him.”
Unai Emery struggled at Arsenal after being replaced by Arsene Wenger
Emery struggled at Arsenal after replacing Arsene Wenger, finishing fifth in his first year in charge, losing in the Europa League final and missing out on Champions League qualification, and was sacked three months into his second season.
At PSG, Emery’s domestic quadruple in his second year tends to be ignored due to his failure to win a title in his first year and his inability to lead the team to the top of the Champions League.
“Sad for Emery and happy for Villa, the Spaniard is portrayed as an overachiever at a club looking to challenge the elite, and an underachiever at a club that already considers himself part of the club,” Carragher wrote.
Sunday’s match between Man United and Aston Villa will be broadcast live on Sky Sports from 12.30pm. Kickoff at 2pm.
