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Manchester United parted ways with Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho after two-and-half years in charge at Old Trafford. Mourinho won three trophies in his debut season as a Manchester United manager, guiding the Red Devils to their first UEFA Europa League trophy, Carabao Cup and FA Community Shield.
In his second season in charge, the Portuguese gaffer guided Manchester United to a second place finish in the Premier League -- their highest League finish in the post Ferguson era. However, things turned sour for the Portuguese manager in his third season in charge of the Red Devils as he could not get the best out of his squad.
The English giants were knocked out of the Carabao Cup third round by Championship side Derby County in a penalty shoot out at Old Trafford. Manchester United have been awful defensively, conceding 29 goals in the 17 Premier League matches under Jose Mourinho this season with only two clean sheets.
The Portuguese manager was relieved off his duties when Manchester United suffered their 5th defeat of the season against a Xherdan Shaqiri-inspired Liverpool. The Old Trafford hierarchy acted quickly to appoint Ole Gunnar Solskjær as the interim Manchester United manager until the end of the season as they are looking for a permanent manager.
The Red Devils started life under the Norwegian manager in an emphatic fashion, hammering Cardiff City 5-1 to give Manchester United the biggest victory in the post Ferguson era. As things stand, Ole Gunnar still has a contract with Molde till 2021.
Here is a look at potential managers who could take over at Old Trafford in the summer:
#5 Nuno Espírito Santo
The Portuguese manager has been terrific since taking over the reigns at Wolverhampton Wanderers in May last year, guiding them to Premier League promotion during his first season in charge, ending their six-year absence from the English top flight.
Nuno's Wolverhampton Wanderers have been very impressive in the Premier League this season as they sit 10th in the Premier League table, two points behind the 7th placed Watford. With 18 more Premier League matches to go, he could guide the Wolves to a Europa League qualification as he did with little known Rio Ave in his native Portugal.
Wolverhampton, under the guidance of Nuno Espirito Santo, have staged impressive performances against top sides in the Premier League. Wolves have picked up points against Manchester United and Manchester City while picking up maximum points against Maurizio Sarri's Chelsea.
His impressive performances have not gone unnoticed as he was named Premier League Manager of the month in September after his Wolves side accrued 10 points from a possible 12, conceding only one goal in the process.
Nuno's Wolverhampton have been disciplined defensively and have conceded fewer goals than Manchester United who are sixth in the Premier League table. His tactical intelligence of playing three center at the back could help steady Manchester United and with the attacking talents that could be at his disposal, goals won't be a problem.
Nuno Espiranto can step up and replace his compatriot as he has shown his pedigree as a top manager in the English top flight with previous coaching experiences at FC Porto and Valencia adding to his impressive cv.
#4 Laurent Blanc
Laurent Blanc has been off managerial duties since leaving PSG in 2016 but could be tempted back into management now that Manchester United are looking for a manager to take over the reigns at the end of the season.
Blanc has won numerous trophies both as a player and as a manager. The French had a terrific time managing French side Bordeaux, winning domestic titles and the coveted French Ligue 1 title.
He had a successful three-year spell at PSG, winning 11 trophies in the process before leaving the French capital. The 1998 World Cup winner is currently unattached to any club hence he could jump on the opportunity to get back into management by taking over the reigns at Old Trafford.
'Le Presidente' finished his career at Old Trafford, winning one Premier Leaugue title in the process. Despite lack of managerial experience in the English Premier League, Laurent Blanc has valuable experience as a player. He therefore understands Manchester United philosophy as he played under the legendary Scot Sir Alex Ferguson.
#3 Diego Simeone
Diego Simeone has shown pedigree as one of the top managers in Europe after taking over Atletico Madrid and making them a force to reckon with in both La Liga and in UEFA Champions League.
Simeone's Atletico Madrid have been a dominant force in Europe, reaching two UEFA Champions League finals, winning UEFA Europa League twice, two UEFA Super Cups and winning the La Liga, breaking the duopoly of Barcelona and Real Madrid in the Spanish top flight.
The Argentine is known for paying attention to detail, which is validated by his side's defensive compactness and quick counter attacks and that's exactly what is needed at Old Trafford. Simeone could prevent Manchester United from conceding many goals the way they've been conceding this season and could help set up a side that is able to compete against top European sides just as he has done with Atletico Madrid.
#2 Zinedine Zidane
The Frenchman has been linked with taking over at Manchester United after Mourinho was relieved off his duties. Zidane had an amazing managerial career at Real Madrid, winning three consecutive UEFA Champions League trophies before shockingly stepping down.
Zidane managed to get the best out of Real Madrid superstars that were underperforming under Rafael Benitez and steady a team that was falling apart.
Manchester United may not be having a star-studded squad as compared to Real Madrid but the English giants have top players that were under performing during Jose Mourinho last season, most notably Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez.
'Zizou' is currently unemployed hence he could take up the job at Old Trafford and bring the glory days back to Manchester United. The Red Devils have enough in the coffers to fund for transfers of players that could be needed to reinforce the squad.
#1 Mauricio Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino is considered by many pundits as the perfect fit to replace Jose Mourinho at the Old Trafford hot seat. Pochettino has had a spectacular coaching spell at Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton.
He has history of developing young players both at Southampton and Tottenham that is in line with Manchester United's policy of developing youngsters. His experience of English Premier League could be valuable to Manchester United with his Tottenham Hotspur side's performance against top six sides being at the top.
Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham Hotspur sit pretty third in the Premier League table, yet they did not sign any player in the summer. At Manchester United, the Argentine will have plenty to spend on players that fit his high-pressing football which could be an added advantage to him.
Pochettino could get out of Paul Pogba with his attack-minded tactics and get Manchester United back to where they belong and probably guide the Red Devils to the first Premier League trophy in the post-Ferguson era.
