With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer under growing pressure, Zinedine Zidane’s name has been banded about as Manchester United’s next potential manager.
Zidane has been linked with the Red Devils in the past, and Spanish outlet El Chiringuito suggested this week that United have again made contact.
It is claimed that a recommendation from Cristiano Ronaldo saw United chiefs sound out Zidane, who is out of work and available after leaving Real Madrid for a second time at the end of last season.
For the time being, United are sticking by Solskjaer and have no plans to sack him despite poor results.
But if the time does come for a change, it is clear that Zidane would be a popular appointment with Paul Pogba as they look to convince him to sign a new contract.
Speaking back in 2019, Pogba dropped a bombshell on international duty by claiming playing under Zidane, then at Real Madrid, would be a “dream”.
"Like I've always said, Real Madrid is a dream for anyone. It's one of the biggest clubs in the world," Pogba said.
”There is also [Zinedine] Zidane as a coach and it's a dream for anybody who likes football.”
In response to those comments, Zidane made it clear he feels exactly the same way about the prospect of working with Pogba.
"I know him personally," said Zidane.
"He brings so much and there are few players who bring as much as he does. He's a midfielder who knows how to defend and how to attack.
"But he is not my player, he is at Manchester.”
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Pogba and Ronaldo are not the only two Manchester United players who have positive impressions of Zidane.
Raphael Varane made his name at Real Madrid under his fellow Frenchman and had high praise for his outgoing manager upon news of his departure.
Varane told reporters: “My first reaction is that I feel proud for the last ten years.
“He took me from Lens to Real Madrid and I have learned a lot alongside him.
“He is a coach that has a human side.
“He is a source of inspiration, not only for me but for many players who have met him.
“Seeing him leave is strange for me and for an entire generation of players at Real Madrid.
“It has been a pleasure to work with him, and it would be nice for it to happen again in the future.
“He is a great coach and a great human being.”
