Manchester United’s ambitions to appoint Unai Emery as their new head coach have hit a significant hurdle. According to a report from The Telegraph, Emery is on the brink of finalizing a new contract with Aston Villa.
The 55-year-old coach’s current agreement is set to expire in 2029, but the Midlands club aims to secure his services with a fresh deal extending into the next decade.
Advertisement
Emery has achieved considerable success at Villa this season, despite a challenging summer transfer window that saw the departures of Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa, Ollie Watkins, and Youri Tielemans.
After a rocky start to the season, the Lions have managed to gather 11 points from their last five Premier League matches.
Manchester United has expressed interest in Emery, with Michael Carrick facing increasing pressure to maintain his position just months after signing a two-year contract.
The Red Devils broke a nine-game winless streak on Tuesday, as they defeated Roma in the Champions League following an impressive comeback in the second half.
A win against Villa on Sunday could solidify Carrick’s position beyond the international break, while a negative outcome might lead to his dismissal.
Advertisement
Emery Appointment Now Unlikely
While Emery would be an ideal candidate for Manchester United, securing him now seems improbable.
Since joining Villa in 2022, Emery has revitalized the team, which was struggling against relegation when he first arrived, ultimately steering them to a seventh-place finish in the league.
Under his leadership, Villa have qualified for the Champions League twice and secured their first major trophy since 1996 with a Europa League victory earlier this year.
Eddie Howe has also emerged as another potential candidate for United if Carrick is let go.
Advertisement
Howe, who has managed Bournemouth and Newcastle United, is familiar with the Premier League and is currently available for hire, although United would need to pay Newcastle £3 million for his services.
Other names in consideration for the Red Devils include Julian Nagelsmann, Fabian Hurzeler, Antonio Conte, and Cesc Fabregas.
