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The Manchester United bandwagon came to a stuttering stop on Tuesday, 10 November, at the London Stadium, where they were held to a 1-1 draw in the Premier League by West Ham United. The Hammers looked to have secured a vital win before Benjamin Sesko came off the bench and equalised for the visitors in the sixth minute of second-half injury time.
The result sees the Red Devils remain fourth in the league after 26 games, two points behind Aston Villa in third. Michael Carrick’s 100% record as caretaker manager is now over, but he has still managed four wins and one draw in five games, which is quite impressive.
Nevertheless, United are expected to appoint a permanent manager at the end of this season, and Carrick could also be considered for the job if he manages to secure Champions League qualification.
There are several candidates in the running for the job, including former Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi, who is currently in charge of Marseille. A blockbuster update on the Italian manager’s future has now emerged.
De Zerbi leaves Marseille
According to talkSPORT, De Zerbi has parted ways with Marseille following the 5-0 defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Sunday. The report states: “Roberto De Zerbi has left his role as Marseille boss with immediate effect, talkSPORT understands.”
“And this could potentially open up a chance for him to take over at Manchester United or Tottenham with the 46-year-old keen to return to England.”
De Zerbi’s future has been subject to speculation for a while, as his current contract with the Ligue 1 club expires at the end of this season. However, it now appears that the Italian has accelerated his departure, a development that could further spice up United’s managerial hunt.
United will be keeping tabs on the situation
A previous report relayed by The Peoples Person states that De Zerbi is keen to take charge at the Theatre of Dreams. The Italian already has experience of managing in the Premier League, having gained widespread acclaim during his stint at the Amex.
Under his leadership, the Seagulls transformed into one of the most exciting teams in the Premier League and even earned qualification for European football for the first time in their history.
Roberto De Zerbi Managerial Career Stats
| Team | From | To | Games Played | Games Won | Games Drawn | Games Lost | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darfo Boario | 19 November 2013 | 30 June 2014 | 22 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 22.73 |
| Foggia | 1 July 2014 | 14 August 2016 | 91 | 47 | 25 | 19 | 51.65 |
| Palermo | 6 September 2016 | 30 November 2016 | 13 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 7.69 |
| Benevento | 23 October 2017 | 30 June 2018 | 29 | 6 | 3 | 20 | 20.69 |
| Sassuolo | 1 July 2018 | 24 May 2021 | 120 | 43 | 36 | 41 | 35.83 |
| Shakhtar Donetsk | 25 May 2021 | 11 July 2022 | 30 | 20 | 5 | 5 | 66.67 |
| Brighton & Hove Albion | 18 September 2022 | 30 June 2024 | 89 | 38 | 22 | 29 | 42.70 |
| Marseille | 1 July 2024 | Present | 69 | 39 | 10 | 20 | 56.52 |
| Total | – | – | 463 | 199 | 109 | 155 | 42.98 |
Source: Wikipedia.
United are likely to keep a close watch on the situation as they prepare for another managerial upheaval this summer. INEOS have shown a preference for Premier League experience in their transfer business of late, and that strategy could extend to their managerial search as well.
In such a scenario, De Zerbi could prove to be an enticing choice, given that his brand of attacking football bodes well with the Red Devils’ style of play. The Italian’s availability for free could also have a bearing on the Premier League giants’ decision.
Final Thoughts
De Zerbi could be a fine choice for the full-time job at the Theatre of Dreams, but INEOS are unlikely to rush to a decision over the matter simply because he becomes available in the middle of the season. Instead, United are expected to take a calculated approach and assess all their options before zeroing in on the right candidate for the job.
Meanwhile, where the team finish this season is likely to have an impact on the matter. Should Carrick manage to secure Champions League qualification, United could also be tempted to hand him the full-time job.
The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
