Premier League winning manager linked with permanent Manchester United role

Italy manager Roberto Mancini has emerged as a surprise candidate to become the permanent boss of Manchester United next summer.

The Red Devils parted ways with Ole Gunnar Solksjaer this month after a run of five league defeats in seven games. Ralf Rangnick has been chosen as the interim manager.

The German will also help the club select their next head coach through an advisory role. Mancini is one of the prime candidates on their radar for the vacancy.

Mancini is contracted to Italy until 2026, but his job could come under threat if the Azzurri fail to qualify for the 2022 World Cup through the play-offs.

This could open up the chance for United to sign him. It is also claimed that Mancini could leave the national team job as he is open to a Premier League comeback.

His former association with arch-rivals Manchester City is not considered a hindrance.

Our view:

Mancini has adopted a 4-3-3 set-up over the past couple of years with the Azzurri. His team has been praised for their regular high energy pressing off the ball.

This is one of the main attributes that Rangnick prefers. The German will deploy similar tactics with United over the coming months and may prefer continuity from the new boss.

Mancini has also built his reputation on building solid defences. He guided the Cityzens to their maiden Premier League title in 2011/12, conceding just 29 goals from 38 games.

Despite the positives, he has the reluctance to change things around when the going gets tough. He tends to rely on a similar playing style without any flexibility over 90 minutes.

A modern manager like Ajax’s Eric ten Hag would be a better fit for United. The Dutchman does not have big-level experience but has built his reputation with an attacking brand of football.