Manchester United's 'ideal' manager has already masterminded one Premier League revolution. Could he do it again?
Michael Carrick remains at the helm of embattled Manchester United but speculation continues over not only his job but the future of Aston Villa counterpart Unai Emery. While the likes of Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte have been linked with United, who are in the midst of a nine-game winless streak and only sit outside of the Premier League's relegation zone on goal difference, Aston Villa boss Emery is widely regarded as the top candidate.
Emery knows how to rebuild a football club. He has also learned what happens when things go wrong at one of Europe's biggest.
That combination could explain why the Villa head coach has emerged as an admired candidate at Old Trafford. According to Fabrizio Romano, influential United figures consider Emery an "ideal" managerial option as pressure mounts on Carrick - who was spared the axe before losing to Chelsea 2-0 over the weekend.
But the Spaniard's appeal extends well beyond his remarkable work at Villa. The Aston Villa transformation When Emery arrived in November 2022, Villa were hovering above the Premier League relegation zone.
Within two years, he had transformed them into UEFA Champions League contenders, securing a fourth-place finish in 2023-24. His greatest achievement followed in 2026, when Villa won the UEFA Europa League to end a 30-year wait for major silverware.
The transformation has been built on meticulous preparation, tactical discipline and a clearly defined playing identity. Emery also has control on and off the pitch, something he might not be afforded in Manchester.
Emery's teams are organised without the ball, dangerous in transition and capable of adapting to different opponents. He has also improved players already at his disposal, demonstrating an ability to develop a squad rather than simply demand expensive reinforcements.
Just look at the form of new signing Nicolas Jackson and how he has rebuilt a Villa side following an off-season of change, headlined by the departures of star Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Ezri Konsa, Emiliano Martinez and Ollie Watkins among others - the core of Emery's side. For a United team struggling for consistency and direction, those qualities are particularly attractive.
What Arsenal and PSG taught Emery Emery's European pedigree was established long before Villa. He won three consecutive Europa League titles with Spanish outfit Sevilla between 2014 and 2016 before collecting seven domestic trophies at French juggernaut Paris Saint-Germain.