Former Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, has said that he cannot imagine a world where Xabi Alonso takes over as the new permanent manager of Manchester United after the sack of Ruben Amorim.
Michael Carrick has taken over as United’s temporary manager for the rest of the season after Amorim was let go earlier this month.
Carrick will be in charge of his first game this weekend as the Red Devils play against Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Behind the scenes, efforts will already be starting to find a big-name summer hire who will take on the United role permanently before the next season begins.
Crystal Palace’s manager, Oliver Glasner, and the current England manager, Thomas Tuchel, are among the early contenders for the job, as both are only signed for the summer.
Meanwhile, some clubs have fired their managers, making several well-known and top-level managers available for new job opportunities.
Enzo Maresca is said to be respected by top people at Old Trafford after he left Chelsea, and Alonso has already been connected with multiple high-level positions after leaving Real Madrid.
Alonso had a big success at Bayer Leverkusen, helping the German team win the Bundesliga for the first time in their history. However, Rooney thinks Alonso would not want to join United.
“No chance it’s Alonso, no,” said the former United captain on The Wayne Rooney Show.
“Before Liverpool, I really admired Klopp, but you couldn’t bring him in or Alonso for that reason. I just don’t think you can. Alonso did really well at Leverkusen, but I think it’s more likely he’ll just sit and wait rather than Arne Slot leaving.”
Rooney added, “Tuchel is the one I prefer. I just think he knows the Premier League, he’s won trophies, and he’s doing well with the England team. Time will tell.”
Even though United have only won once in their last six league matches, they are still just three points behind fourth-place Liverpool and are still in a strong position to get back into the Champions League.