'Showed his limitations': Manchester United handed worrying verdict over next manager search

In partnership with

Evening Standard

·22 de enero de 2026

'Showed his limitations': Manchester United handed worrying verdict over next manager search

Former Brighton boss is reportedly on Man Utd’s shortlist

Manchester United-linked Roberto De Zerbi showed his “limitations” during Marseille’s Champions League defeat to Liverpool.

OneFootball Videos

That is the view of French football journalist, Julien Laurens, who has delivered a rather harsh verdict on De Zerbi’s chances of becoming the next permanent Man Utd head coach.

The Red Devils sacked Ruben Amorim at the start of the year and have since appointed Michael Carrick until the end of the season but he is not expected to be in charge for the 2026-27 campaign.

In fact, one of many names linked with the Old Trafford post is De Zerbi as he matches United’s reported requirements for a manager with Premier League experience following his time at Brighton.

However, speaking to TNT Sports after Marseille were beaten at home by Liverpool on Wednesday night, Laurens has questioned whether the Italian is good enough for Man United.

"I think it's a good debate to have," the French football expert said. "As good as he has been at times with Marseille - we mentioned some of the really good performances they've had against Newcastle, the game against PSG in the French Super Cup - at times, like tonight, and I know Liverpool are very good, I'm not really sure what he's trying to do.

"It's not good enough, and if it's not good enough for Marseille would he be good enough for Manchester United? I'm not sure.

"Obviously it's a high risk, high reward style of football - we've seen that in Italy and at Brighton before. Tonight there was just no high risk at all, so there was never going to be any reward.

"I feel that here he's struggled to implement what he wants to do with this current squad, but this is a squad that he's picked; him, Medhi Benatia, the sporting director, and Pablo Longoria, the president.

“And if he can't get a tune out of this team in these kind of games I'm not sure he's the right guy for United.

I'm not sure he's the right guy for United

Julien Laurens

"This was a big chance for Marseille to make a statement first of all, to make a big step towards qualification, maybe even dreaming of top eight with a win tonight. Now they will be under massive pressure next week against Brugge.

"They've got a huge game here against Lens in the league on Saturday, third against first, and it could turn into a horrible week for De Zerbi and Marseille.

"Maybe he's lost a bit of credit. I still think United probably rate him because of what he did before, and I can understand that. But tonight showed his limitations."