Luis Enrique was tipped for the Manchester United job in November 2021 after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked and Cristiano Ronaldo hoped that he’d come to Old Trafford
Luis Enrique has everyone talking about his Paris Saint-Germain side thanks to their Champions League exploits. But he could’ve been working his magic at Manchester United had Cristiano Ronaldo got his wish.
Back in November 2021, United began their search for a new manager after sacking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Names such as Zinedine Zidane, Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag – who’d eventually get the job – were immediately linked, as was Enrique.
At the time, the ex-Barcelona boss was in charge of Spain and preparing for the World Cup in a years’ time. But Ronaldo wanted him at Old Trafford and told United chiefs, according to Sky Sports.
While at Real Madrid, the United legend bared witnessed to Enrique’s monumental success at Barcelona from 2014 to 2017. Barca won the treble in his first season and he’d win six more trophies over the next two campaigns.
Having taken the Spain job in 2018 and temporarily stepped away following the death of his nine-year-old daughter, Enrique led them to the semi-finals for the European Championship in the summer of 2021. And he remained committed when United were looking for a new manager, appointing Ralf Rangnick on an interim basis before Ten Hag took over in May 2022.
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After leaving the Spain job following a round-of-16 exit at the World Cup, Enrique wouldn’t wait long for his next role. PSG came calling and he’s already won two Ligue 1 titles.
In Europe, they’re purring. Despite a rocky league phase which left them needing to face fellow French side Brest in the play-off round, PSG are among the favourites to lift the trophy in Munich on May 31.
They swatted Brest aside 10-0 on aggregate before dumping Liverpool out, winning the second leg at Anfield and then going through on penalties. On Wednesday, PSG came from behind to beat Aston Villa 3-1 in their quarter-final first leg and will go to Birmingham with a two-goal cushion.
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Enrique hopes that his players can finish the job next Tuesday and no-doubt show United what they’re missing with his managerial prowess. “It’s important to believe in ourselves and the three goals were great, a lot of quality,” he told TNT Sports post-match.
“We’re very happy with the result. It will be difficult [at Villa Park], but we will try to play the same way – it’s in our DNA.
“They are all quality players with a lot of ambition. We try to win and fight every single match. Our supporters are great every single match. Today, it’s a really nice day for us.”
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