Zinedine Zidane
January 2026
United are still weighing permanent options after Amorim’s exit, with Zidane again linked as a high-profile candidate despite Carrick’s three straight wins as interim. The narrative is that Carrick has restored calm and identity, but United’s leadership may still want an elite-name appointment. Zidane has been out since leaving Real Madrid in 2021 and has repeatedly turned down roles, with speculation he is waiting for the France job, but the Premier League pull is being framed as a possible trigger.