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Man Utd players have doubts over Zinedine Zidane as Jose Mourinho replacement - big claim
MANCHESTER UNITED players will be doubting if Zinedine Zidane has what it takes to “cure” the current situation at the club if Jose Mourinho was to be sacked.
That is the verdict of Sky Sports pundit and former Arsenal striker Charlie Nicholas.
Jose Mourinho’s future at Manchester United is hanging by a thread after a shocking start to the season.
The Red Devils are 10th in the Premier League table having already lost three of their seven games.
They were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Championship side Derby last month and played out a drab 0-0 draw in their last outing against Valencia in the Champions League on Tuesday.
You tell me if there’s any of these players that, if it’s Zidane or whoever it’s going to be next, are going to be absolutely convinced that they are bang on for Manchester United
Reports last night claimed the United board were going to sack Mourinho this weekend even if they beat Newcastle later today (5.30pm), though this has been disputed by the club.
Former Real Madrid boss Zidane is the overwhelming favourite to replace Mourinho if he was to get the axe.
But Nicholas doubts there is a manager out there that could solve the issues at Old Trafford.
“I don’t know what will cure this,” he said on Soccer Saturday.
“I don’t know even know if the next manager, because he will go, would cure this. They’re stuck in a trap now.”
Manchester United have spent plenty in the transfer market since Mourinho arrived at the club in 2016.
And Nicholas went on to say the United players themselves will doubt if Zidane, or another candidate, could turn it around.
“They spent £400m and brought in the best manager at the time into this football club,” the Scot added.
“You tell me if there’s any of these players that, if it’s Zidane or whoever it’s going to be next, are going to be absolutely convinced that they are bang on for Manchester United.
“This is a total rebuild.”
United will look to end a winless run of four games in all competitions when Newcastle visit Old Trafford.
They have also not won in their last four home games, a run stretching back to the opening day of the campaign.
Rafa Benitez's side are yet to pick up a Premier League win this season.