Likely Candidates for United Job

Their UCL aspirations are still intact with the Manchester boys currently leading their group but on the contrary, are yet to qualify for the KO stages. The Norwegians' days at the United faithful are clearly numbered. It's a matter of when he'll be shown the door. Below is a list of competent managers who can put an end to the Red Devils hiatus from silverware and restore their legendary status as the biggest team in England as well as get back to their trophy-winning ways.

Although Antonio Conte joined Spurs recently, Brendan Rodgers, Erik Ten Hag, and Zinedine Zidane certainly remain viable options, with the latter now taking an interest in the United job.

Brendan Rodgers 

According to many, he is currently in a pole position to take over as Red Devils boss in case they decide to part with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the near future.  Rodgers has plenty of experience, having managed Liverpool to a second-place finish in the 2013/14 season, one famously remembered for the famous 'Gerrard slip' against Demba Ba with the Reds narrowly losing out to Manchester City by two points(86 - 84 pts). It's quite easy to see why Rodgers is being sought after. He is currently one of the highly ranked managers as well as showcasing great football wherever he has managed.

He has done a marvellous job in refurbishing Leicester into a consistent top 5 side, arriving at the King Power Stadium a few years ago. He boasts of an FA Cup Title and a Community Shield, a feat in which they peeped European Champions Chelsea as well as English Champions Manchester City and have competed for top 4 in all of Rodgers seasons, narrowly missing out. 

Previously he enjoyed a stupendous spell at Scottish top dogs Celtic and made them into a treble-winning machine. 

Rodgers would be a brilliant appointment on paper but according to Liverpool legend and ESPN pundit Steve Nicol he and Ole are on the same wavelength hence he doesn't have the necessary skillset having failed to secure silverware at Anfield.  

Nicol told ESPN FC: "To manage one of the biggest clubs in the world in Manchester United you need to have some sort of strength, some strong characteristics whether other people like you or not.

"The Mourinho’s and even Van Gaal’s, somebody you’d listen to, you don’t listen to Ole and nobody listens to Brendan Rodgers either.

"Brendan Rodgers doesn’t have the character to be the leader at Manchester United."

He then went on to say: "You are going for the same thing as the guy you are getting rid of.  

"Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool had a worse record than Ole [at Manchester United]. Under Rodgers, they were seventh or sixth, second and then sixth.

"Ole has got United into the Champions League two out of three years, Brendan got Liverpool into the Champions League once in three years.

"We have sat here and criticised Ole from the minute he walked into the door because he loses big games, loses finals, he can’t win any trophies but how many trophies did Brendan win at Liverpool in three years? Zero."

Rodgers has been also linked with Uniteds noisy neighbours City with Pep announcing that he would leave the Etihad come 2023 when his contract runs out. 

 Zinedine Zidane

The three-time back-to-back CL winner turned down Newcastle and it is said that he is monitoring the situation in Manchester, holding out for 'Les Blues' or waiting to see the outcome of PSG whether if Mauricio Pochettino will face the axe due to the Parisians slow start as well as lack of chemistry in their attacking trio of Messi, Mbappe and Neymar. However this may not be the cause with Didier Deschamps securing his job a tad longer after the UEFA Nations League win.

Zizou would be a perfect match as his Madrid team played a mix of the possessive and counter-attacking ball. He is also an exemplary man-manager having kept the Madrid squad in harmony despite such a stacked squad with world-class talents in every position. He would also command respect from the United dressing room as he has such an exemplary resume' both as a player and manager. 

Ole's days could definitely come to an end if a manager of Zizou's calibre is vying to take the reins at the Old Trafford hot seat.

Graham Potter

The English manager is certainly one to look out for having received praise from Pep Guardiola ever since his Swansea days. Potter employs a high pressing, ball possession type of play, one that goes heavily against United's philosophy at the moment. He might also face a hard time coaching egos for he had quite an average career as a player. Nonetheless he is one to be in the look out for.

 Erik Ten Hag

 The Dutchman is certainly outside the box but his repertoire certainly demands consideration. He rose to prominence after guiding a youthful Ajax team to the UEFA Champions League Final and were moments within clinching a spot to the final if not for a stroke of genius from Moura who bagged a hatrick to down the 'Godenzonen'. Ever since the he has been linked with multiple jobs including Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspurs and Manchester United but the former already have filled the managerial spot with Xavi and Conte respectively. The Dutchman is yet to still prove himself out of the Netherlands but his exhilarating style of play is certainly one to look out for. 

He would certainly need lots of time for the team to adjust and buy into his high possession-oriented philosophy as Man United is one team that's been hugely for counterattacks. A reunion with Donny Van De Beek would be tantalizing for us fans but the only notable question is would he be open for a move to England? 

Marcelo Gallardo is an honourable mention. He is also a highly sought out manager at the point having enjoyed success at Argentina with River Plate having amassed 12 titles and also favours ball possession-oriented style of play. 

Time is ticking for the 1998-99 Treble winner and United need to act fast. Whoever the Glazers choose to move United to the next level will surely be interesting but all in all the manager will have ample tools at his disposal, it's up to him to rally his troops and fight for titles, titles which have eluded the United faithful for far too long.