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The mood surrounding Manchester United has soured significantly of late. Preseason preparations have been far from ideal with Jose Mourinho bemoaning the club's lack of activity in the transfer market, picking needless fights with several players, and generally moaning about every aspect of managing one of the world's biggest clubs.
His sour demeanour has become so bad that he is now favourite to be the first Premier League manager to leave his job this season. It seems that Mourinho's famous "third season syndrome" has kicked in very early at Manchester United and could have dire consequences for a club that is aiming to return to the summit of English and European football.
The Portuguese manager has constantly seemed downbeat during his press conferences on United's preseason tour of the United States. From slating young up and coming players by claiming they don't "belong to our squad" to comments made about the fitness of Antonio Valencia and the absence of Anthony Martial from the squad after he became a father, Mourinho's relationship with his players is deteriorating quickly.
As if isolating himself from his squad wasn't enough, the 55-year-old is reportedly "at war" with Manchester United's executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward, over transfer funds and targets. Let's not forget that Manchester United has an exceptional starting XI and some wonderful young players vying for a place in the squad for the upcoming season.
Due to these, among many other preseason frustrations, Manchester United fans are beginning to worry. With rivals enjoying a happier and more promising preseason, some fans have even taken to social media to vent their frustration and demand the Portuguese manager is sacked before he does more damage to the squad and club harmony.
While it is extremely unlikely Mourinho will go before the season starts, there is a possibility that he will leave if results do not go his way during the opening months of the season. With that in mind, here are three top managers who are currently available and could be brought in to replace Mourinho should he depart Old Trafford.
#1 Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane shocked the world a few months ago when he left Real Madrid shortly after leading them to a third straight Champions League title. Citing the need for a change as the reason for his departure, many people believed he was preparing to take over as the France national team manager after the World Cup.
However, France's World Cup victory led Didier Deschamps to declare he will remain as the manager until at least 2020, leaving Zidane in managerial limbo. Having spent only two and a half years in top-level management, it is highly unlikely that Zizou will rest on his laurels for at least two years in waiting for the France job.
The opportunity to manage an English top flight team would appeal to the competitive nature of Zidane. His brief stint at Real Madrid was successful beyond imagination, but the Frenchman will need to accept new challenges in the future should he wish to inscribe his name among the greatest managers the game has seen.
Manchester United could present that challenge. A stumbling giant of English and European football, United is seeking a hero. Should Mourinho depart, Zidane could represent a breath of fresh air. His coaching methods and man management skills are a world apart from the styles of the Portuguese manager.
In addition, Zidane would have the opportunity to solidify his growing reputation while becoming a legend at Old Trafford. That offer could be too tempting to turn down should United come calling for his services in the future.
#2 Laurent Blanc
Out of management for two years now, Laurent Blanc could offer Manchester United instant stability should Mourinho depart this season. The former Paris Saint-Germain manager played at Old Trafford for two years between 2001 and 2003 and knows the club well from his time there.
In fact, Blanc was earmarked as a future manager by Sir Alex Furguson during his time at the club and was heavily linked as being the man who would succeed the United legend as early as 2010. However, by the time Ferguson retired in 2013, Blanc had already enjoyed a spell as France manager and was appointed as the coach of oil-rich Paris Saint-Germain to lead their new project.
The former defender enjoyed three successful years in Paris, leading the club to consecutive Ligue 1 titles and reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League three times in a row. However, he left the club by mutual consent in 2016 and has not returned to management since.
Earlier this summer, Blanc was heavily linked with the Chelsea job before the club appointed Maurizio Sarri instead. These rumours show signals that the 52-year-old is ready for a return to management and should Mourinho leave his post during the upcoming season, Old Trafford would be a great fit for his entry back into the game.
Blanc's serial winning habit from Paris Saint-Germain along with his ability and experience in handling big egos would make him an ideal candidate for the United job. His relative youthfulness as a manager could also present the option as a longterm, stable manager for the Red Devils.
#3 Antonio Conte
What better way for Antonio Conte to get revenge over his former employers than by managing their Premier League rivals? Conte was dumped by Chelsea this summer shortly after returning for preseason training and has been embroiled in a legal battle with the London club ever since.
However, the Italian is reportedly keen to get back into management as soon as possible and has been offered a bumper €6 million-a-year deal by AC Milan. His ongoing dispute with Chelsea about payments due is delaying any appointment and I Rossoneri may lose interest if Conte doesn't become available prior to the beginning of the Serie A season on August 19th.
Should Conte remain available after the start of the new season, he would make an interesting alternative to Jose Mourinho. The former Juventus and Chelsea manager boasts a host of experience managing at the top level and has already enjoyed Premier League success in England.
His knowledge of the league and its players would prove invaluable to Manchester United while his tactical approach to the game and temperament has been compared to that of Sir Alex Ferguson. His no-nonsense approach to handling egos, as was evident during his saga with Diego Costa, would also benefit any claims to install him as Manchester United manager in the future.
While appointing Conte may not be a popular decision among United fans, should Mourinho depart Old Trafford he would offer a very experienced and stable solution.
