Man Utd stance on Alonso as four ruled out over ‘important condition’ | Football | Sport

However, speculation continues to swirl regarding United’s long-term managerial appointment in the coming months, as Carrick is widely regarded as a stopgap solution following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal at the turn of the year. Several candidates have been mooted for the position, amongst them Alonso, Julian Nagelsmann, Xavi, Zinedine Zidane and Luis Enrique. Yet, four of those five appear to have been discounted recently owing to their absence of top-flight English football experience.

David Ornstein reported earlier this month that United are exclusively pursuing a boss with previous Premier League credentials to replace Amorim. It represents a shift in strategy after both the Portuguese coach and Erik ten Hag struggled to acclimatise to one of football’s most unforgiving divisions.

Ornstein told The Athletic: “That Premier League experience is crucial, Amorim didn’t have it, Ten Hag didn’t have it, but the rumblings coming out of United in the last 24 hours is that Premier League experience is going to be very important to them.”

Should Ornstein’s reports prove accurate, it would mean Nagelsmann, Xavi, Zidane and Enrique are all out of the running for the Manchester United hot seat – despite their impressive credentials. That would also leave Alonso as the sole remaining candidate from the shortlist.

Yet appointing the Spaniard wouldn’t be without complications. While United have previously brought in former Liverpool personnel, such as fitness coach Andy O’Boyle, they’ve never installed an ex-player of their fiercest rivals as manager.

Given Alonso spent five years at Anfield between 2004 and 2009 and remains beloved by the Kop faithful, United supporters may baulk at the prospect of the Spaniard taking charge at Old Trafford. Such reservations might well be warranted, particularly when considering the 44-year-old’s previous remarks about his former club.

Speaking in 2022 upon his return to Anfield for a charity match, Alonso said: “Once a Red, always a Red. It’s not a logo, I think it’s a reality. Not just my case, I think that most of us feel really close to the club. Wherever you are in the world, Liverpool fans remember you and they keep you closer to the club. That’s the best thing of Liverpool. All the support and all the family that’s around the world.”

However, should Alonso remain unemployed until the summer, it would be an appointment that wouldn’t cost United a single penny in club compensation – a stark contrast to the reported £9.25million they paid to secure Amorim from Sporting CP back in November 2024. It comes as Alonso became available on Monday, after leaving Real Madrid following just seven and a half months in charge – a day after suffering a 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.

In an Instagram post following his exit, he said: “This chapter of my career has come to an end, and it hasn’t gone as we would have liked. Coaching Real Madrid has been both an honour and a responsibility.

“I thank the club, the players, and above all, the fans and Madrid fans for their trust and support. I leave with respect, gratitude, and pride that I did my best.”