Unai Emery to Replace Ruben Amorim at Man United? Three Reasons Aston Villa Boss Is a Strong Candidate

Reports in Spain suggest that Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has emerged as a candidate to be the next Manchester United manager.

United’s 2-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday eased some of the pressure on Ruben Amorim. But after finishing 15th last season and winning just two of their first seven games this term, the Portuguese coach was — until recently — the outright favourite to be the next Premier League manager to leave his post.

However, that title now belongs to Ange Postecoglou, who has yet to deliver a win in his first seven fixtures since replacing Nuno Espirito Santo at Nottingham Forest.

Despite Big Ange’s struggles diverting some of the scrutiny away from Old Trafford, United sacking Amorim before the season is over remains a very strong possibility.

As such, United’s decision-makers are already understood to be exploring potential successors — and according to Fichajes, Emery is one name high on their list.

But would Emery make a good Manchester United manager? We can think of three reasons why he would.

Why Unai Emery would be a good Manchester United manager

Premier League experience at big clubs

Unlike Ruben Amorim — who arrived from Sporting Lisbon without any Premier League experience — Emery already knows what it’s like to operate under the intense scrutiny of English football.

He managed Arsenal for 18 months, finishing fifth in the Premier League and reaching the Europa League final. His win rate at the Emirates was 55.13%, higher than Amorim’s current record of 38% at United.

At Aston Villa, Emery has been even more effective. Since taking over from Steven Gerrard in November 2022, he has transformed a relegation-threatened squad into European contenders. His current win rate at Villa Park sits at 53.33%, proving his methods translate consistently across different squads.

He has also managed Paris Saint-Germain, dealing with stars, egos and boardroom interference — a natural prerequisite for life at Old Trafford.

Superior tactician with proven adaptability

One of the main criticisms levelled at Amorim is his inflexibility. He has persisted with his 3-4-3 system regardless of personnel or opposition, often leaving United exposed in transition or lacking midfield balance.

Emery, by contrast, is a known problem-solver. He changes shape mid-game, adjusts pressing triggers depending on the opponent and engineers tactical plans for specific players. His Villa side can counter-attack, dominate possession or sit compact and frustrate — all within the same match.

That level of adaptability has been sorely lacking at Old Trafford in recent years.

Europa League pedigree

United might dream of returning to the Champions League, but realistically their near-term route back to elite standing is more likely to go through the Europa League.

If that is the path they end up on, then there is no manager on the planet better suited to leading that journey than Unai Emery.

He is a four-time Europa League winner — three times with Sevilla and once with Villarreal — and also reached the final with Arsenal. His knockout record in European competition is exceptional, and United have not had a specialist tournament strategist since Jose Mourinho left.

Would Unai Emery actually want the Man United job?

There is one major complication — Aston Villa are, in many ways, a better-run football club than Manchester United right now.

Last season, Emery’s Villa finished nine places and 24 points above United in the Premier League, having also placed higher the year before in 2023/24. On sporting merit alone, he could argue he already manages the club with the stronger long-term trajectory.

However, the dynamic has shifted slightly this season. After seven Premier League games, United currently sit one point ahead of Villa. That could suggest Villa’s rise is beginning to level out — or that Emery has pushed them as far as he can with the available resources.

That is where United become tempting. For all their chaos, they remain one of the few clubs in world football who can offer global reach, financial power and the chance to compete for the very biggest honours.

The practical question is cost. Sacking Amorim is believed to require a payout in excess of £10 million, while luring Emery from Villa would involve significant compensation on top.

So would Emery walk away from what he has built in Birmingham? Perhaps — but only if he feels the project has peaked. Emery has revived fallen giants before. If he believes United are ready to rise again, he could well be tempted by the project.