One former Premier League midfielder can see Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto de Zerbi taking over at Manchester United at some point in the future.
Erik ten Hag? Manager of the Month? Talk about going against the narrative.
If you had tuned in to talkSPORT over the last few weeks, you’d have been forgiven for assuming Manchester United were lumbering around at the bottom of the table, their manager being chased out of Old Trafford by a pitchfork wielding mob.
Not quite. Wednesday’s 2-1 triumph over Chelsea – arguably United’s best performance of the season – lifted the Red Devils to within three points of champions Manchester City, and level with media-darlings Tottenham Hotspur.
And, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe a big admirer of the former Ajax boss, the more fickle members of the Man United fanbase can forget about getting a shiny new toy in time for Christmas. Ten Hag’s job remains secure.
Erik ten Hag wins Manager of the Month award
That has not stopped the rumour mill from turning, however. And Danny Murphy would not be surprised to see Roberto de Zerbi take charge at United somewhere down the line. The Brighton boss, he argues, possesses both the tactical knowledge and the personal gravitas to thrive in an elite-level job.
“Having met him a couple of times and watched him train, that took me to a new level of respect for what he’s doing,” the one-time England midfielder tells talkSPORT (7 December, 12pm).
“(Brighton) have got such an identity in the way that they play. They are really well coached and play with a real intensity.
“I think he’s taken Brighton on a level. And I think he’s got ego, in a good way. I think he’s strong, and he could handle big players.
“I really can (see him becoming Man United manager).”
Man United chasing down Champions League spots
De Zerbi secured a famous win at Old Trafford earlier in the season. Brighton taking full advantage of Manchester United’s out-of-sorts backline.
The Seagulls have won only three out of ten Premier League games since then, however, even if they remain just two points behind Man United in the table.
Ten Hag’s United take on a resurgent Bournemouth this weekend.
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