Manchester United have been informed that Aston Villa boss Unai Emery would be a “perfect” choice to replace Erik ten Hag, should the Dutchman get sacked this season. Ten Hag’s position at Old Trafford has increasingly grown more precarious throughout the campaign, with United’s latest poor result coming in Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth.
There is no suggestion that Ten Hag is currently on the verge of losing his job or that the club’s hierarchy are considering sacking him. That is despite seven losses from their 16 Premier League games and the Red Devils potentially exiting the Champions League in the group stage, barring victory over Bayern Munich on Tuesday and a draw between Copenhagen and Galatasaray.
However, former Middlesbrough defender and NBC Sports commentator Robbie Mustoe believes that Emery would be an ideal choice to take over if Ten Hag does get sacked. Aston Villa have recently claimed back-to-back victories over last season’s top two Manchester City and Arsenal, lifting the Villains to third place and just two points off league leaders Liverpool.
“I should not mention this, but I can’t help think it, the game we just reviewed and thinking about people who might come in for Erik ten Hag… Unai Emery,” Mustoe said on The 2 Robbies podcast.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive Man Utd news.
“And I’m only chucking it out there as a bit of fun, right. Villa fans, don’t get too crazy about it. But just listen to this, in terms of his experience, his ability to win competitions, domestically and internationally, he’s been around the Premier League a bit now.
“He’s been at a big club in the Premier League in Arsenal, didn’t work very well. He’s showing himself now what a superb coach he is. I think his attention to detail, his work ethic is perfect for Manchester United.”
Emery has been hailed for his transformation of Villa, taking them from relegation candidates to Champions League hopefuls. He has made Villa Park a fortress, while United have lost four of their nine league games at Old Trafford this season.
But whether United are willing to part ways with Ten Hag remains to be seen, having resisted the urge to dismiss him in the aftermath of their dismal defeat by Bournemouth. Even Gary Lineker suggested that the former Ajax boss could lose his job over the weekend, but he will at least be in charge for the European tie against Bayern Munich.
Though should United and incoming minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe lose patience with Ten Hag, they know one impressive option could be waiting in the wings in the form of Emery.
