Man Utd managerial candidate named as rival Premier League fans warned they'll hate it

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Manchester United are on the hunt for a new manager, and former player Ben Foster has already named a high-profile candidate who could send rival fans into meltdown. The ex- England goalkeeper, who spent five years at Old Trafford between 2005 and 2010, believes Aston Villa boss Unai Emery would be the perfect man to steady the ship following Ruben Amorim's departure .

The Portuguese coach's 14-month reign ended on Monday , following a 1-1 draw against Leeds United 24 hours earlier and amid reports of a falling-out with the club's hierarchy . Foster said Emery is "right at the top" of his game and hinted that a Premier League heavyweight could be exactly what United need after their latest crisis.

The former Wrexham and Watford shot-stopper made the suggestion despite admitting he was unsure whether the Spaniard would even be willing to take the job, given the extent of United's current turmoil.

Speaking to talkSPORT , Foster said: "I have to throw one name in there, who's the best manager in the worl‎d for me at the minute and that is Unai Emery. Aston Villa fans will hate this because they do not want to get rid of this guy, because he is right at the top. I don't even know if he'd be interested though."

Amorim's departure came after the Red Devils finished a record-low 15th in the Premier League during the Portuguese coach's debut season last term, missing out on European football for the first time in over a decade. United sit sixth in the table this season after 20 games, with a record of eight wins, seven draws and five losses.

Amorim ultimately left after tactical rigidity, particularly his insistence on a 3-4-3 system, caused clashes with the board and left players frustrated. Former player Darren Fletcher has been named interim coach , but the search for a permanent replacement is underway.

With over £200million spent on signings last summer failing to deliver results, the next manager faces a club in urgent need of a clear plan. Foster argued United now need someone with a commanding presence to lift pressure off the squad and warned about the internal power struggles any new manager would face.

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He said: "I get the impression they need somebody with a big character, a lot of authority and almost a bit of an aura to take ‎that pressure away from the players.

"I just think there's too many chefs trying to stir the broth of Manchester‎ United. There's too many people who are so unwilling to relinquish the bit of power that they have at United, whether it's chief execs or the director of football.

"No manager now will be able to come into United and just have full autonomy or the full say so and be able to do whatever they want to do."

While Emery has impressed at Villa, considerable doubts remain over whether he would leave for Old Trafford. The Spaniard is widely regarded as one of the Premier League's most effective managers, having led Villa to consistent top-half finishes and regular European qualification.

Emery appears settled at Villa Park, where he has enjoyed strong backing from the club's hierarchy and overseen a period of stability and progress. However, after mixed spells at Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain , the 54-year-old may yet be tempted by another opportunity at one of Europe's traditional heavyweights.

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