Ernesto Valverde is on a shortlist of candidates to become United’s interim manager if they cannot price Mauricio Pochettino away from PSG.
It is revealed that Pochettino, PSG’s current head coach, is ready to move to Old Trafford immediately as Solskjaer’s replacement. However, it’s still unclear how much United wants the Argentine and how hard PSG would fight to keep him.
Moreover, United are still working hard to a plan of installing a temporary boss to take over the reins from caretaker Michael Carrick before making a permanent appointment at the end of the season.
The club has a shortlist of five candidates for the interim job as it emerged that former Barcelona coach, Valverde is among the names under consideration.
Currently, Valverde is out of work after leaving Barca in January 2020. He has taken the chance to hold talks with United’s football director John Murtaugh over the interim role.
However, Valverde might be having the advantage of working at one of the world’s top clubs but lacks premier League experience despite expressing an interest in coaching in England.
The only time he has worked outside of Spain was two stints at Olimpiacos where he later on got the Barcelona job after impressing in the second of two spells at Athletic Bilbao.
It is believed Valverde would only be an option for the interim role as United has other candidates for the summer including Pochettino, Brendan Rodgers and Erik ten Hag.
Zinedine Zidane has also been linked but it’s understood he is reluctant to move to Old Trafford and is a more likely replacement for Pochettino if he leaves PSG.
However, it remains to be seen if Pochettino’s potential availability could change United’s thinking regarding an interim appointment. But news on Valverde talks would indicate that they are, at the very least, keeping their options open.