Dwight Yorke, a legendary figure at Manchester United, has expressed strong support for Unai Emery as the ideal candidate to take over as manager following Erik ten Hag’s recent dismissal.
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Ten Hag’s exit came after a challenging start to his third season at Old Trafford, prompting the club to swiftly begin their search for a successor.
While Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim appears to be a frontrunner for the role, with Manchester United ready to trigger his release clause, Yorke believes Emery would be a better fit.
He remarked, “Unai Emery is the one manager right now who can match and compete with the likes of Carlo Ancelotti, Zinedine Zidane, and Pep Guardiola.
I’m not going to be very popular at my old club for saying it, but Emery is the best candidate given Zidane’s reluctance to come to England. He is the man that I would go out and do everything to try and get.”
Yorke acknowledged the enormity of the Manchester United job, emphasizing that it demands a manager who can fully embrace the high expectations of fans worldwide.
He noted, “Whoever takes the job knows it’s not going to be a walk in the park. It’s an enormous challenge, but what a challenge it is.”
Emery has enjoyed considerable success at Aston Villa, transforming the club into a competitive force in the Premier League.
Yorke praised his ability to elevate Villa’s status, stating, “He’s turned Villa into a really top club in the toughest league in the world, consistently punching above their weight. Nobody expects an easy ride against Villa.”
He believes that if Emery brings his energy and philosophy to Manchester United, it would be a perfect match.
While acknowledging that Emery would come at a cost, Yorke argued that a club of Manchester United’s stature should invest in a top-tier manager.
“If you want the best, you’ve got to pay the money to get the best,” he stated. “Manchester United does it with players, so why not do it with managers?
You might as well spend money on a manager and see if that works. Don’t be afraid to spend the money to do so.”
Yorke’s sentiments echo the growing conversation around the importance of hiring a quality manager to restore Manchester United to its former glory.
With high-profile figures in contention, the decision will be pivotal for the club’s future.