(Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media, Imago)

Callum O'Connell

Tue 17 March 2026 17:00, UK

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Unai Emery is unlikely to be considered as an option to become the next Manchester United manager despite outside calls for his appointment.

The 54-year-old is very highly regarded within managerial circles and has enjoyed success with Aston Villa despite their recent dip in form and defeat at Old Trafford.

Jamie Carragher last week joined those suggesting Emery should be in line for the job, but while the Spaniard is admired, he is not thought to be a contender.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that there are doubts about whether his style of play would be a good fit for the club.

Fans have previously expressed frustrations about the style under the likes of Ruben Amorim and Louis van Gaal, and Man United’s next manager must avoid a repeat.

Man United make Unai Emery decision

Brown told Football Insider on 12 March that Emery will have options to leave Aston Villa with clubs across Europe keeping a close eye on his situation.

However, Man United are unlikely to be among them with concerns lingering, while they continue to assess other options with Michael Carrick the favourite.

“Unai Emery is a very highly regarded manager,” Brown told Football Insider.

“He’s got a very, very good reputation in the game and I have no doubt he would do a good job as the Man United manager as he has done at Aston Villa.

“But looking at his Villa team, there are a few concerns about whether he would be the right fit.

“It sometimes feels like they’re playing in third gear a bit, it’s not quick attacking football, he doesn’t use his wingers to create and cause problems for the opposition.

“Like I say, I have no doubt he would do a good job, but I’m not convinced he’s a Man United manager.

“The style of play is important at Man United, we’ve seen managers before lose the support of the fans because they don’t like the way the team is playing.

“That’s something they have to get right, and something Carrick has done well to get the fans on his side, because it’s very easy to get it wrong.

“Whether it’s Emery or anybody else, you want to see them come in and excite the supporters. It’s not even necessarily about results in that respect.”

Why could Emery quit Aston Villa?

Emery’s future at Villa Park is up in the air as things stand with a growing feeling that he could move on at the end of the season, despite his contract running until 2029.

Football Insider exclusively revealed on 7 March that Emery could quit Aston Villa amid frustrations over their financial restraints, which have halted their progress.

The 54-year-old has worked wonders on a limited budget at Villa Park, but there is a growing feeling their lack of spending power means he cannot take them further.

Tottenham will be without a manager come the summer, for example, and Emery’s work with Villa means he could rank highly on their list.

They are not the only admirers, however, and it remains to be seen whether the Spaniard will be available, but his situation has put a number of clubs on alert.