Manchester United have been advised to consider a shock move for former Arsenal manager Unai Emery as they begin their search for a permanent successor to the departed Ruben Amorim.
Amorim's short and turbulent reign ends
Ruben Amorim was relieved of his duties as Manchester United manager on Monday morning, 5th January 2026, following a significant breakdown in his relationship with the club's director of football, Jason Wilcox. His departure marks the shortest reign for a United boss since David Moyes, lasting just 14 months.
The Portuguese coach, who took over from Erik ten Hag in November 2024, had grown increasingly frustrated with the Old Trafford hierarchy. He publicly voiced his discontent at a pre-match press conference last Friday, criticising the board's reluctance to back him in the January transfer window.
His tenure ended with a disappointing record of just 25 wins from 63 games in charge, giving him the worst win rate (31.9%) of any Manchester United manager in the Premier League era. The club confirmed that former midfielder Darren Fletcher will take interim charge, starting with Wednesday's match against Burnley.
Parker's four-man shortlist for United
Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker has now outlined four potential candidates for the permanent role, which the club intends to fill in the summer. While Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner is the current bookmakers' favourite, Parker believes other Premier League bosses should be in contention.
"I would look at Unai Emery as well," Parker told freebets.com. "He's a proper coach – proven European pedigree and gets players working hard." Parker defended Emery's much-criticised spell at Arsenal, blaming "self-entitled" fans and the media for his struggles, and pointed to his excellent work at Aston Villa.
Parker also endorsed Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola, praising his ability to compete despite losing key players, and suggested a sensational coaching return for club legend Roy Keane, stating the current squad would be "crying to their agents after the first training session."
What next for the Red Devils?
United's statement on Amorim's sacking cited the club's sixth-place Premier League position as a key reason for the change, hoping it would provide "the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish."
Amorim's sole full season ended in a dismal 15th-place finish and defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final. While performances have improved this term, a lack of consistency remains, exemplified by Sunday's 1-1 draw with Leeds United.
The search for a new leader now begins in earnest, with the club under pressure to avoid a repeat of recent failures. The choice between a proven operator like Emery, an emerging talent like Glasner or Iraola, or a different direction entirely will define United's trajectory for years to come.
