Former Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has held talks with Manchester United and would love to test himself in the Premier League, Fabrizio Romano has revealed.
Michael Carrick is putting forward a serious case to win the permanent’s manager position at Old Trafford, having secured Champions League football with a dramatic win over Liverpool last weekend.
The former Red Devils midfielder has now beaten Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham despite the fact he only took over the head coach role in January.
Matheus Cunha believes Carrick deserves to stay, with Sunday’s opening goalscorer revealing the boss has been ‘amazing’ for the players.
“Yeah, yeah, honestly, I think if we need to say (it).
“I don’t think it’s in my hands. But what he did, he’s full of confidence in the group and, look, I sat on the bench with him but how he teaches everyone is amazing.
“I think he has like the magic with like these Ferguson times, these kinds of things. Then he come and bring to us, teach us how it was.
“And, yeah, to be part of everything that he did is a pleasure, and then of course I think he deserves it.”
However, there are still other options on the table if INEOS aren’t convinced, with the memories of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer perhaps giving them reason to pause.
The Norwegian also delivered an excellent spell in an interim capacity, winning 14 of his 19 matches in charge before being handed a three-year deal, but was eventuallty replaced by Ralf Rangnick with United on 17 points after 12 games in the 2021/22 season.
Fabrizio Romano shares Xavi to Man Utd offer
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that talks were held in recent months in which Xavi was ‘proposed’ to United.
“I can also reveal to you that Xavi was proposed to Manchester United since January as an option for the job.
“But Manchester United decided Michael Carrick interim coach – and now Michael Carrick big chance to continue at the club.
“Xavi would love to be in the Premier League.”
Romano hailed the former Barcelona player and manager as a ‘top’ coach, and his record with the La Liga club was impressive, averaging over two points per game and winning the league in his second season.
Barca president Joan Laporta even went so far as to claim the 46 year-old is the ‘best coach in the world’, and with United director of football Jason Wilcox set to undergo a thorough search for Amorim’s long-term replacement, it will be interesting to see if the Spaniard comes into his thinking.
Man Utd submit offer to sign £43m “machine” who’s better than Baleba
Manchester United have made their move to sign a midfielder.