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Laurent Blanc has spoken to Man Utd over replacing Jose Mourinho - Sky Sports reporter
LAURENT BLANC has spoken to Manchester United about the manager’s job vacated by Jose Mourinho’s sacking, claims Sky Sports reporter James Cooper.
Man Utd: Laurent Blanc 'wants job badly' says Laurens
Blanc has emerged as a candidate for Manchester United after they pulled the plug on Jose Mourinho's tenure on Tuesday morning.
The Red Devils have struggled on and off the pitch this season and are set to appoint a caretaker manager of the rest of the campaign.
Blanc spent two seasons as a Manchester United player at the end of his career, winning the Premier League title in 2002/03.
The Frenchman has not managed since leaving Paris Saint-Germain in 2016.
I think there were discussions with Laurent Blanc. I think he would want a protected and perhaps longer deal
Another former Manchester United star Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the favourite to be named caretaker.
Solskjaer is currently the boss of Norwegian outfit Molde and Cooper has questioned whether he would leave his permanent job for a temporary role.
Cooper says there have been discussions with Blanc but again doubts he would want a job on a short-term basis.
“There’s the way-up in Solskjaer’s case of giving up a permanent job with Molde and coming on a caretaker basis with Manchester United,” he told Sky Sports.
“I think if it was me, I would want some sort of more longevity and want to know that there was something, perhaps, when a permanent successor is unveiled this summer.
“There are other names being mentioned as well. I think there were discussions with Laurent Blanc.
“Again, I think he would want a protected and perhaps longer deal.
“Then you look at some of the other people who have managed recently and played for Manchester United and understand this club.
Mourinho: Blanc 'ticks all the boxes' as replacement, says Gray
“You’ve got the likes of Mark Hughes, Steve Bruce and Roy Keane.
“But all of those three I am led to believe will be unlikely caretaker appointments for Manchester United.
“They want someone to bring back the positive atmosphere, that’s what has been stressed today.
“The positive atmosphere has gone at the training ground, gone amongst the first-team squad, gone at the club.”