Manchester United reject Roberto De Zerbi: Place all their faith in Michael Carrick.
Before officially taking over Tottenham, Roberto De Zerbi proactively contacted Old Trafford but was rejected at a time when Michael Carrick was thriving with the Red Devils.
In a surprising turn of events on the Premier League bench, Roberto De Zerbi proactively approached Manchester United's leadership to apply for the head coach position. However, the Old Trafford club flatly rejected the Italian strategist, stating that he was not part of the club's plans, just before he officially accepted the offer to manage Tottenham Hotspur.
The rejection at Old Trafford
According to recent reports, De Zerbi was once considered a potential candidate to replace Ruben Amorim after the latter was sacked in January of this year. Seeing an opportunity at one of the world's biggest clubs, the 46-year-old strategist made an inquiry. However, the Red Devils quickly dashed De Zerbi's hopes with a statement affirming their absolute confidence in the current squad.
The main reason Manchester United are not keen on De Zerbi stems from the remarkable rise of Michael Carrick. Since taking over as interim manager, Carrick has created a spectacular turnaround. Under the former midfielder's leadership, Manchester United have risen to third place in the Premier League, bringing a positive atmosphere and stability that the team had lacked for a long time.
Pressure from the defeat in Marseille
Besides Carrick's impressive form, Roberto De Zerbi's reputation was also significantly damaged after his time managing Marseille. The nadir was the humiliating 0-5 defeat against arch-rivals Paris Saint-Germain, leading to his departure from the French club in February. This result is believed to have caused Manchester United's management to doubt his ability to control big matches in a demanding environment like the Premier League.
Currently, Manchester United's top priority is to finish the season in the top four to secure a Champions League spot. The club's management has no intention of interviewing any other candidates, and Michael Carrick is emerging as the leading choice for the permanent manager position thanks to his impressive on-field results.
A turbulent start at Tottenham
After being rejected by Manchester United, Roberto De Zerbi was officially announced as the new manager of Tottenham Hotspur last Tuesday. However, his journey in North London did not start smoothly. In his first week in office, De Zerbi faced a wave of fierce opposition from Spurs supporters.
The Mason Greenwood issue and the apology
The controversy stems from past statements he made regarding striker Mason Greenwood when they were both at Marseille. Tottenham fans vehemently criticized what they perceived as defending his former player against allegations of violence. In response, De Zerbi issued an apology and stated:
- He never intended to downplay the issue of violence against women.
- He always sided with the marginalized in society.
- Previous statements may have been misinterpreted.
Despite the official explanation, the pressure on De Zerbi at Tottenham remains immense. He will have to prove his professional competence to appease public opinion and guide the team through the current difficult period, while Michael Carrick continues to consolidate his firm position at the red half of Manchester.
