Manchester United: 3 managers who can wake the sleeping giant

Manchester United has been on a downward spiral since Sir Alex Ferguson walked out of Old Trafford back in 2013. First, it was David Moyes who tried to steady the ship, then it was Louis Van Gaal who tried to implement methods that won him 20 trophies and most recently the Special one, Jose Mourinho.

They all came and they all failed. In all fairness, it was going to take a while for the club to find someone to fill the boots left by the great man himself. What was surprising is how things went south with each of the managers. For Moyes, this job was just too big, Van Gaal and Mourinho did win trophies but could not establish Manchester United as the champions or even contenders for the major trophies; the Premier League title or the Champions League.

Here are 3 managers who can usher the club into a new era of dominance and reestablish Manchester United at the summit of English Football.

Zinedine Zidane

Perfect job to bring him back to the touchline?

The only man to win three consecutive Champions League trophies definitely has the CV and the profile to be the boss at Manchester United. 9 trophies in 3 years are no mean feat. Announcing his resignation from the post of manager of Real Madrid just 5 days after winning his third successive UCL title, this could be the job that fits his profile.

A signing that every Manchester United fan is begging to be announced, he definitely could make trophies rain at Old Trafford as Ferguson did. Known for his great man management skills, he could get the best out Pogba who had a very public fallout with Mourinho. If Zizou could convince Ronaldo to rest and sit out of matches, he sure can instil the right atmosphere in the dressing room to make this talented United squad click again.

If he comes, the board would definitely back him in the transfer market and provide him with whatever he needs to catch up with the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool who seem lightyears ahead of them at the moment.

Zidane did it all first as a player, then as a manager at Real Madrid, the question is, is he up for the task at Manchester United?

Mauricio Pochettino

Is the Argentine the right man for the job?

Poch has established himself as one of the best managers of the league. First, with the Saints, he brought them into upper midtable regular pushing for Europa League spots and now as Tottenham manager, establishing them as a Champions League regular with a fraction of the budget of the other top 6 clubs.

He, for sure would be a great manager of Manchester United. He has a great track record of allowing youth players to grow and make a name for themselves. The likes of Harry Kane, Deli Alli, Christian Erikson, Eric Dier, Harry Winks among others have become top class players under the Argentine.

As good a job as he has done at Tottenham he seems to have reached a glass ceiling. The lack of investment from the board has seen the club's progress stagnate as they seem to be unable to take the next step and add trophies to the great football they play.

Pochettino has come out and slammed the board for their lack of investment in the squad and he seems to be growing tired of it. Incidentally, they were the only club in the league not to sign a single player in the summer. A move to Manchester United would be the next step in his career where he could genuinely manage a club that wants to win it all.

He plays a brand of football that would keep the fans at the edge of their seats, something that the Red Devils have been lacking in the past few years. He could step up his team around Paul Pogba who at the moment has been watching an awful lot of games from the bench. The likes of Martial, Rashford, Lukaku and Lingard could get the freedom to express themselves and live up to their potential.

Manchester United has a great academy as well. young Players like Angel Gomes, Diogo Dalot, Tahith Chong and others could establish themselves in the first team. If he comes, and the board backs him with a few transfers, he could get the Champions League back to Old Trafford.

Pochettino is an experienced man who has made a step up with every club he's shifted. Its time he finally competed among the big boys of world football. He and United seem like a match made in heaven, it's only yet to see if actually jumps ship to a league rival.

Leonardo Jardim

Not high profile, but the right man for the rebuilding?

The former Monaco manager has created quite a reputation for himself after leading Monaco to the French league title, beating the free-spending PSG in the process. Ever since the principality side changed their clubs structure from spending big to sign the best, to invest in the best young players, the club has made a lot of progress and a lot of it is down to Jardim.

Under his stewardship the likes of Martial, Mbappe, Bernado Silva, Thomas Lemar, Benjamin Mendy, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Kieta Blade among others have. In all, Jardim has amassed the club a total over €400 million in player sales. The main learning from this is that every season, his team got torn apart by bigger clubs, instead of whining about it, he unearthed new talent and gave them the opportunity to show the world what they've got.

Jardim would be great in bringing through players from the youth system. Baring Rashford and Lingard not a lot of academy players have been able to make a name for themselves at the club. The fans would love nothing more than seeing more of their own players down the red of United and walk onto the green of Old Trafford.

Jardim over the period of just two seasons took Monaco from a midtable team to a league winning side. In his first season, he looked to create a strong defence and in the next built a potent attack with the strong defence already there behind them. This blueprint would work perfectly for United.

Manchester United already have a great attack on paper. The midfield too is comparable to other top 6 sides, the defence is the only issue. A couple of signings and Jardim's philosophy in place, Manchester United would be rubbing shoulders with the best in Europe again.