Former Real Madrid Boss Zinedine Zidane has explained Manchester United stance amid Erik ten Hag pressure.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Manchester United’s owner, has apparently named Zinedine Zidane as a possible replacement for Erik ten Hag.

Ratcliffe and INEOS have already begun to make big changes at Old Trafford after acquiring a 27.7% share in the club. Ten Hag’s future at the club has remained uncertain, and speculation over his dismissal has increased following Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Fulham.

Ten Hag will enter the final year of his contract at Old Trafford this summer, and it is uncertain whether he will return for a third season. According to MEN Sport, Ratcliffe is not quite convinced that Ten Hag will remain at Old Trafford following an unsuccessful season.

The Reds are now sixth in the Premier League and have been eliminated early from the Champions League and Carabao Cup. Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi is thought to be one of the potential replacements United is considering.

According to Foot Mercato, the ‘dream’ is to lure Zidane to the club. The former France midfielder is out of work since departing Real Madrid in 2021, and has been linked with every major club in Europe since. Jean-Claude Blanc, the current CEO of Ineos, is known to be a big fan of Zidane and has previously attempted to get him to Paris Saint-Germain.

Zidane has previously been linked with the job at Old Trafford. In 2021, the 51-year-old was extensively associated with replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before Ralf Rangnick was appointed on a temporary basis, and he was considered in 2019.
Zidane later stated that his inability to speak fluent English would prohibit him from heading to the Premier League.

In the summer of 2022, he asked: “Would I want to go to Manchester [United]?” I understand English, although I am not quite fluent in it. I know that some instructors go to clubs without speaking the language, but I operate differently.

“There are numerous factors that must be considered in order to win in this global scenario. I understand what I need to win.”