Simone Inzaghi: Man United extend offer to replace Ruben Amorim | OneFootball

Manchester United have made an approach to hire Simone Inzaghi – and the Al-Hilal manager has delivered an immediate response, according to a report from Italy.

INEOS on the hunt

The Red Devils are in a state of shock after INEOS’s decision to terminate Ruben Amorim‘s contract exploded out of Old Trafford on Monday morning.

Under-18’s coach Darren Fletcher has taken over from the Portuguese coach on an interim basis. The 41-year-old Scot, along with U-21’s boss Travis Binnion and Jonny Evans, will lead the senior side for tonight’s match against Burnley.

But the club are searching for a caretaker manager to permanently take the reigns until the end of the season, with Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer believed to be the frontrunner for the role.

A permanent decision on Amorim’s long-term replacement will then be made over the summer, with a host of candidates under consideration – both inside and outside the Premier League.

This staggered approach does not mean targets are not already being sounded out, however, with Tuttosport revealing INEOS have made contact with Inzaghi.

Inzaghi Rejects United

The Italian newspaper states United held exploratory talks with the 49-year-old, who established himself as one of the best tacticians in Europe while in charge of Inter Milan.

But the response was emphatic: “No thanks,” the report claims, as he wishes to continue his work with Al-Hilal, who he joined last summer.

The Blue Waves are currently leading the Saudi Pro League, one point clear of Al-Nassr, and top their Asian Champions League group with six wins from six matches. His contract in Riyadh will also dwarf anything he may be offered in Manchester.

But there are other complicating factors as well.

Inzaghi’s grasp of the English language is poor, while he has never managed a top side outside of Italy, with the Premier League a different beast than Serie. He also exclusively utilised a three-at-the-back system with Inter – a choice which would ignite the United fanbase in a state of fury were it to be trialled again.

However, Inzaghi has employed a 4-3-3 while in Saudi Arabia, showing a level of versatility his potential predecessor at Old Trafford was incapable of. He also made Inter a force in the Champions League, showing his approach was as effective outside of Serie A as it was within.

The Italian would have been a brave choice for INEOS to appoint – and United’s rulers have spent the last 14 months learning that fortune does not always favour the bold. Inzaghi’s rejection was the right move for both parties, though he remains far too good a coach to be wasted in the Saudi Pro League.

Featured image Marco Luzzani via Getty Images

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