Speaking on his podcast on 6/1, Ferdinand asserted that Old Trafford remains a compelling destination for managers. The former Manchester United captain believes that, apart from Pep Guardiola, most top Premier League managers would seriously consider an offer from the "Red Devils".

"I don't believe it when people say Arteta would never think about Manchester United. He wouldn't say it publicly, but I am certain Arteta would sit down and consider it," Ferdinand remarked.

Coach Ruben Amorim (left) speaks with Mikel Arteta before Manchester United's 0-2 loss to Arsenal in Premier League round 14 on 7/3/2025. Photo: AP

Arteta, who returned to Arsenal as head coach in 2019, has steadily transformed the team from struggling for European qualification into a Premier League title contender. Arsenal currently leads the league by 6 points, a stark contrast to the persistent instability at Old Trafford.

Since Arteta's appointment at Arsenal, Manchester United has experienced constant managerial upheaval, with 7 coaches leading the first team. Ruben Amorim, the latest to be dismissed, lasted only 14 months after replacing Erik ten Hag.

Ferdinand attributes Amorim's swift dismissal partly to his public statements targeting the club's board. He believes Amorim's criticism of the internal structure and his own role created an irreparable breakdown in relations.

"The speed of the dismissals is understandable. The two recent coaches, Enzo Maresca at Chelsea and Amorim at Manchester United, both spoke out about the hierarchy and were dismissed immediately afterward," Ferdinand said.

The former England defender highlighted Amorim's tenure as the worst among Manchester United managers since Alex Ferguson's retirement. He noted clear signs of instability in the 40-year-old coach's final press conferences.

"He was known for being sharp and confident when speaking to the media, but his last two press conferences looked very heavy and gloomy," Ferdinand commented.

Roy Keane previously managed Sunderland and Ipswich Town but made little impact at either. Photo: The New York Times

While Darren Fletcher has been promoted to interim coach, discussions surrounding the hot seat at Old Trafford continue to be lively. On The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, former midfielders Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt surprisingly suggested Roy Keane as a potential option, though they admitted it was unlikely to happen.

According to Butt, Manchester United has tried almost every coaching model over the past decade, from big names like Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho, to those familiar with the Manchester United spirit like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and highly-rated young European coaches like Amorim.

"Why not at least sit down and talk to Roy Keane? He might cause friction, but he would bring something the Manchester United dressing room has lacked for many years," Butt said.

Scholes also suggested that if Keane returned to Old Trafford as head coach, the atmosphere around the club would change dramatically, similar to the effect when Cristiano Ronaldo rejoined in 2021.

Despite these discussions, the likelihood of Roy Keane taking the hot seat remains low. British bookmakers list Crystal Palace coach Oliver Glasner as the top candidate, alongside familiar names such as Fletcher, Solskjaer, and Michael Carrick. Manchester United is reportedly deferring a long-term decision until summer.

Hong Duy (according to The Sun)