Arteta would consider taking Man Utd job, claims Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand has boldly claimed that Mikel Arteta would take into account leaving Premier League title contenders Arsenal to take over at Manchester United after Ruben Amorim’s sacking.

United introduced the stunning information on Monday that they’d “reluctantly made the choice” to let Amorim go after 14 eventful months in cost at Outdated Trafford.

Following United’s 1-1 draw with Leeds United on Sunday, it was thought that the 40-year-old’s place was underneath risk as he appeared to criticise the membership’s hierarchy.

In his press convention, Amorim claimed he got here in to function the membership’s supervisor, not head coach, hinting that he ought to have a higher say over recruitment.

Former United midfielder Darren Fletcher is about to supervise Wednesday’s journey to Burnley within the Premier League, with the membership reportedly eager to nominate a caretaker supervisor to the tip of the season.

And Ferdinand believes there is just one present Premier League boss who wouldn’t even take into consideration taking the reins at United.

“Unai Emery could be somebody who would completely leap on the likelihood,” Ferdinand mentioned on his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel.

“Pep Guardiola’s the one supervisor within the league who I believe would sit there and go, ‘I’m content material the place I’m, I’m completely happy the place I’m, and I don’t want it’.

“He’s by no means gonna say it, he would by no means say it out loud. However I’m telling you, Mikel Arteta would sit there [and consider it].”

Membership assertion: Ruben Amorim.

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 5, 2026

Amorim oversaw 63 video games in whole in all competitions, successful 24 of these (D18 L21), and led the Pink Devils to the Europa League ultimate final time period, dropping 1-0 to Tottenham within the showpiece.

Amorim solely achieved 15 victories in 47 Premier League matches on the helm, giving him the worst win ratio (32%) of any United boss within the competitors.

This season, he has led United as much as sixth within the league desk, simply three factors behind fourth-placed Liverpool, with the membership combating for a spot in Europe having missed out this season.

“I noticed his final two press conferences, and I used to be considering, ‘One thing isn’t proper right here’. This man, certainly one of his finest traits and most likeable issues, has been his means to be fairly punchy in his press conferences, upbeat, jovial.

“The final two that he did regarded miserable. I didn’t say it [at the time]however the final time I went there [Manchester United] and interviewed Bruno Fernandes, I noticed the supervisor and Ruben, and I had a chat for 5-10 minutes.

“He was heat, he spends plenty of time with you, and he goes into element. He’s open as you want; he’s an open ebook.

“However after I went there the final time, I observed instantly that there was a coldness about him, and there was an actual distinction to what I’d seen earlier than.

“Now I look again with hindsight, I believe issues had been beginning to prepare dinner earlier than Christmas. This isn’t simply an in a single day factor when it comes to his dialogue with the hierarchy and the best way he’s been feeling about issues.

“This coldness I noticed within the final two press conferences, I noticed it in him. The vibe within the coaching floor across the gamers felt good, however he simply felt a little bit bit distant.”

Oliver Glasner and Gareth Southgate are reportedly the frontrunners for the everlasting United job, with the previous’s Crystal Palace contract working out on the finish of the 2025-26 season.