The future of the Manchester United managerial position has taken a fresh twist, with Aston Villa's Unai Emery emerging as a compelling candidate.
Former professional footballer Jay Bothroyd has publicly endorsed the Spaniard, suggesting his connection with forward Marcus Rashford makes him "a really good fit" for the Old Trafford hot seat.
Why Emery is in the frame
Bothroyd's comments, made on Sky Sports, come in the wake of Ruben Amorim's departure as United's head coach. He praised Emery as a "fantastic" manager with proven Premier League experience, currently guiding Aston Villa to an impressive third place in the table.
Emery's European pedigree and no-nonsense, demanding style were also highlighted as major assets. Crucially, the manager has a recent and positive history with Marcus Rashford.
During the second half of last season, Emery brought Rashford to Villa Park on loan from United, overseeing a significant revival in the England international's form.
The Rashford connection
Under Emery's guidance, Rashford played a key role in Villa's run to the Champions League quarter-finals and FA Cup semi-finals, as well as securing a sixth-placed Premier League finish.
Following that successful loan spell, Rashford joined Barcelona on another temporary deal at the start of this season and is widely expected to make that move permanent in the summer.
However, the managerial vacancy at his parent club has sparked speculation. Bothroyd believes Emery's existing rapport could be pivotal, stating: "He's got a good relationship with Marcus Rashford as well, so maybe he can come back and persuade him to stay at Man United."
Style and compensation
From a tactical perspective, Bothroyd pointed to Emery's preferred system as another reason for the potential match. "He plays four at the back, he plays attacking football, he likes his wingers," he noted, suggesting it aligns with United's traditional ethos.
Any move for the highly-rated Villa boss would not be straightforward, however. The former Arsenal manager is under a long-term contract, meaning United would have to pay a substantial compensation fee to secure his services.
The situation presents a fascinating subplot to the ongoing search for a new leader at Old Trafford, linking the future of a potential manager with that of a star player currently plying his trade abroad.
