Man Utd news: Zinedine Zidane ‘INTERESTED’ in replacing Jose Mourinho in major twist

That’s the suggestion from French football expert Julien Laurens, who claims Zidane is “tempted” by the Manchester United job.

Mourinho is under increasing pressure at United this season and a demoralising 3-1 defeat to close rivals Liverpool on Sunday has put his position under threat even more.

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The Red Devils currently sit sixth in the league, 19 points adrift of Liverpool at the top of the table and already nine points outside of the Champions League spots.

Their poor league form has led to demands from sections of United fans calling for Mourinho to be axed.

And ever since Zidane left Real Madrid in the summer, he has been consistently linked with taking over at Old Trafford.

Those rumours were somewhat quietened two months ago when his chief agent, Alain Migliaccio, all-but ruled out a move to United by saying, “”I do not think that he will manage in England.”

But Laurens suggests Zidane’s position may have altered since then, going as far to say that he would “love” the opportunity.

“The thing with Zidane is I think he would be tempted,” Laurens said on talkSPORT.

“I think he loves the idea. It’s a huge club.

“The thing for him is man-management.

“It is his main quality, it’s his biggest quality.

“He’s improved a lot at Real Madrid over the two and a half years tactically, understanding the game and changing and everything.

“Where he was so good was at managing that dressing room. The egos like Cristiano, Modric and the others.

“[he made] everyone in that squad, even the smaller players feel important.”

As for Mourinho, if he were to be sacked by United, then Laurens believes the only possible destination for the Portuguese coach would be to take the national team job,

“I think the next job for Mourinho is the Portugal national team and that would be his last one as well,” he added.

“The top, top clubs wouldn’t want to hire anymore anyway.

“I’m even wondering when I see him if he even wants to manage at club level, every day because he doesn’t seem to be enjoying it anyway.