coming from Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United considers replacing Ten Hag with a manager who employs a 4-2-2-2 formation, and most people believe this manager to be even more effective than Arteta. The Premier League club wants to bolster their play style ahead of next season by bringing in a better manager.

Erik ten Hag’s second season at Manchester United has been deeply disappointing compared to his successful debut. In his first term, he led the team to a Carabao Cup victory and a third-place Premier League finish.

However, this season has been marked by underperformance. Currently sitting in sixth place in the Premier League with 54 points, United are now out of contention for European football.

Their Champions League campaign ended at the group stage, conceding the most goals of any Premier League team in the process.

The poor results have sparked speculation about Ten Hag’s potential dismissal by United’s new owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who may opt for a fresh face to lead the club into the INEOS era.

Speculation has been rife about potential candidates to replace Erik ten Hag should he be sacked at the end of the season.

Gareth Southgate, the current England manager, and Thomas Tuchel, who will be departing Bayer in the summer, are among the names being discussed.

However, another name gaining traction in recent discussions is that of Unai Emery, the current manager of Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Emery has enjoyed a successful first full season at Villa Park, with the team currently sitting in fourth place, seven points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

Additionally, Villa has a Europa Conference League semi-final to look forward to.

Emery, 52, took over at Villa in October 2022, succeeding Steven Gerrard, and has made a significant impact.

Last season, he guided the club from a relegation-threatened position to qualification for the Conference League in just a few months.

In April, Villa exercised a one-year contract extension option in Emery’s contract, ensuring his stay at the club until 2027, despite reported interest from Bayern Munich.

However, Manchester United may still consider approaching Emery to take the helm at Old Trafford. Dwight Yorke, a former player for both United and Villa, expressed his support for this potential appointment in an interview this week.

Yorke suggested that Emery could outperform the likes of Erik ten Hag, Mikel Arteta, or even Jurgen Klopp if given the opportunity at United.

Yorke elaborated, stating, “It wouldn’t be surprising to see Emery linked with top clubs in the summer. He has a desire to prove himself at the highest level, especially after his tenure at Arsenal ended.”

Regarding how Emery’s managerial style could fit at Manchester United, Yorke’s comments implied that Emery’s tenure at Arsenal was less successful compared to Arteta’s current achievements.

Arteta has implemented an exciting and high-pressing 4-3-3 system at Arsenal, resulting in a significant improvement and contention for titles.

In contrast, Emery has gained recognition for his utilization of the 4-2-2-2 formation at Villa, which has propelled them close to Champions League qualification.

This achievement is particularly noteworthy considering the position of the Midlands club when Emery took charge.

While Emery’s tenure at Arsenal may not have been successful, he has since established himself as one of the Premier League’s top managers.

With a notable trophy cabinet that includes a Ligue 1 title and four Europa League triumphs, he arguably surpasses Arteta in terms of winning honors.

There may be merit to the notion that he could lead Manchester United to greater success than Arsenal in the coming years.

Securing Champions League football would undoubtedly be a remarkable feat for Emery at Villa, especially considering their relegation-threatened status last season.

It seems like he is ready to take the next step in solidifying his legacy as a managerial great. If United opts to part ways with Ten Hag this summer, Old Trafford could be an enticing destination for Emery.

After all, he has demonstrated his ability to stabilize a struggling team, making it an ideal project for him.

Having mastered the 4-2-2-2 system during his time at Villa Park, Emery may seek to introduce that tactical approach at Old Trafford as well.

United possess players who could adapt well to Emery’s system, although there may be a need to reinforce certain areas of the team.

Kobbie Mainoo could thrive under Emery’s management, given his exceptional abilities in the initial phases of play.

Mainoo’s proficiency would be vital in executing the build-up pattern favored by Emery, which involves triangular passing combinations between the center-back, full-back, and midfielder on each flank.

Moreover, Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount would flourish in the central role within Emery’s system.

In this position, they would initially operate as wide players before moving infield to function as two attacking midfielders in possession, contributing to the team’s progression through the midfield.

In Emery’s tactical setup, Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford could effectively operate as the two center-forwards.

Their role would involve drifting wide to receive passes and penetrating into the penalty area. Rashford, in particular, excels in this aspect, as he demonstrates his best performances when collecting the ball on the flanks and driving towards the box.

However, Manchester United would need to bolster their options at center-back, focusing on recruiting players with speed and agility to suit Emery’s preference for a high defensive line.

Aston Villa, under Emery’s guidance, lead the Premier League in catching opponents offside, averaging 4.7 offside calls per game.

However, there’s a potential drawback to this defensive strategy, as it opens up space behind the defensive line if opponents manage to bypass the offside trap.

Players like Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof might find it challenging to adapt to these requirements. Therefore, Manchester United should prioritize bolstering their options at center-back.

While Emery’s tactical approach has been captivating in the Premier League this season, Manchester United currently lack the necessary personnel in defense and midfield to seamlessly transition into his system.

Consequently, they may not be immediately equipped to implement Emery’s style if he assumes the managerial role at Old Trafford. Nevertheless, such a move could prove astute for the Red Devils in the long run.