Manchester United reportedly made a formal approach for Aston Villa manager Unai Emery before eventually appointing Ruben Amorim last season, according to new information.
The Managerial Search Intensifies
United are once again searching for a new manager after dismissing Amorim last week. The Portuguese coach's tenure lasted just 14 months, ending after a fiery press conference following a 1-1 Premier League draw with Leeds United.
The club has decided to install an interim manager for the remainder of the campaign, with a permanent appointment planned for the summer. Caretaker Darren Fletcher has overseen the last two matches—a 2-2 draw with Burnley and an FA Cup third-round 2-1 loss to Brighton.
Progress is being made on the short-term solution, with Michael Carrick now the favourite to return. The former Middlesbrough boss held further talks on Monday, with an appointment expected before Saturday's Premier League clash against Manchester City.
Emery Emerges as a Summer Target
While the interim situation nears resolution, the long-term picture remains unclear. The Daily Mail reports that Unai Emery is a potential candidate for the summer.
It has now been revealed that United made an enquiry to Aston Villa about the Spanish manager's availability before they turned to Amorim. Given Emery's continued success at Villa Park—where he has guided the club to Champions League qualification and they currently sit third in the Premier League—it is believed United's interest remains.
Significant Obstacles to a Deal
However, any move for the former Arsenal boss is expected to face major hurdles. Firstly, Aston Villa will fight fiercely to keep their highly successful manager, making any potential compensation package extremely costly for United.
Secondly, and perhaps more critically, is the issue of control. Emery is known as a manager who prefers complete control over football operations, a level of autonomy he currently enjoys at Villa.
This structural issue was reportedly a factor in Amorim's departure from Old Trafford. Therefore, for an Emery appointment to be feasible, significant structural changes within the Manchester United hierarchy would likely be necessary.
Emery, who replaced Steven Gerrard in November 2022, has been widely praised for his transformative work at Villa. Other names linked with the permanent United role include Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner, Fulham's Marco Silva, and former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez, who Spanish reports suggest may be open to the move.
