Sir Jim Ratcliffe sent clear Man Utd warning as manager exposed | Football | Sport
French football pundit Julian Laurens has issued a warning to Manchester United regarding managerial target Roberto De Zerbi after the Italian’s ‘limitations’ were exposed during Wednesday’s clash with Liverpool. The Ligue 1 outfit fell to a 3-0 home defeat against the Premier League leaders in the penultimate game of the Champions League phase.
De Zerbi has built a strong reputation for attractive football and player development, and with 18 months left on his deal, speculation linking him to the United role has intensified. Michael Carrick remains caretaker boss until the season concludes, but names such as De Zerbi, Thomas Tuchel and Oliver Glasner have emerged as potential replacements for Ruben Amorim.
Liverpool extended their unbeaten streak to 13 games, but Laurens suggested Marseille surrendered too easily, having barely troubled Arne Slot‘s team. He said: “I think it’s a good debate to have.
“As good as he has been at times with Marseille – we mentioned some of the really good performances they’ve had against Newcastle, the game against PSG in the French Super Cup – at times, like tonight, and I know Liverpool are very good, I’m not really sure what he’s trying to do.
“It’s not good enough, and if it’s not good enough for Marseille would he be good enough for Manchester United? I’m not sure. Obviously, it’s a high-risk, high-reward style of football – we’ve seen that in Italy and at Brighton before. Tonight there was just no high risk at all, so there was never going to be any reward.
“I feel that here he’s struggled to implement what he wants to do with this current squad, but this is a squad that he’s picked; him, Medhi Benatia, the sporting director, and Pablo Longoria, the president. And if he can’t get a tune out of this team in these kind of games I’m not sure he’s the right guy for United.”
He continued: “Maybe he’s lost a bit of credit. I still think United probably rate him because of what he did before, and I can understand that. But tonight showed his limitations.”
The 46-year-old shocked England’s elite division after departing the Seagulls for the south of France in 2024. Prior to his exit, he had been consistently touted for the United position and was reportedly considered as a possible successor to Erik ten Hag before the Old Trafford boardroom decided to maintain their backing of the Dutchman, ultimately sacking him following nine Premier League fixtures.
De Zerbi’s track record against the Premier League’s elite clubs was remarkable. He secured two victories and two stalemates across six encounters with Liverpool whilst at Brighton, whilst also claiming two triumphs against Chelsea and Arsenal in five meetings.
The Italian was present at Old Trafford when sentiment shifted against Ten Hag following a superb 3-1 triumph for the away side, subsequently delivering United’s first home loss in 13 months.
