Barcelona legend would be 'tempted' by Manchester United job if Ruben Amorim is sacked

View 2 Images

Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez could be lured to Manchester United if Ruben Amorim is given the boot, according to former Premier League ace Gaizka Mendieta.

Amorim's reign at Old Trafford has been far from smooth sailing since he took over the reins in November, following Erik ten Hag's departure. The 40-year-old manager led the Red Devils to a disappointing 15th-place finish in the Premier League last season and this term hasn't started much better.

With just two wins from their first six league matches and a humiliating Carabao Cup second-round exit against Grimsby Town, the pressure is mounting on Amorim. This has sparked rumours about his future, with several high-profile names being touted as potential replacements - including Xavi.

Xavi, who boasts an impressive eight La Liga titles with Barcelona both as a player and a manager, has been out of work since Hansi Flick replaced him at Camp Nou last May. Despite only having five years of managerial experience, Mendieta, a former team-mate at club and international level, believes Xavi would relish the opportunity to bring success back to United.

In a chat with OLGB, the ex-Valencia and Middlesbrough star said of Xavi: "I think if it's the right project, he will be tempted. Who doesn't want to coach in the Premier League?

"Who would not want to coach Manchester United , even if it's in a difficult time? He won trophies at Barca during a very peculiar period of history of the club and he changed that.

View 2 Images

"Of course, he doesn't know Manchester United as he knows Barca, but he's been there, he knows that, he's capable of doing those things. So if the project seems right to him, I'm sure he will take it.

"He's been preparing himself already, waiting for the chance to come. I know he's had a few options to go and coach, but it wasn't the right project.

"I think for a coach like him, it's the project that matters, not only the history and the club. A lot of people were hesitant in his move to Barca because he had only been in Qatar .

"People thought he wasn't ready, then he won the league and the Super Cup in his first season. I think football has changed a lot. The coaches and players tend to adapt.

"It's at an incredibly high level and it's a lot faster because people are more prepared. There's more tools out there for coaches to gain an understanding, knowing what's happening at other clubs and with other players.

"He has his own platforms to understand and analyse situations. So wherever he goes, which could be Man Utd, he'll be prepared for the job he takes for sure."

Whilst there has been no indication that Amorim is presently in danger of losing his position, the hierarchy will undoubtedly expect swift improvements in form, with ambitions of bringing an end to a decade of disappointment at Old Trafford.

With a challenging line-up of matches against newly promoted Sunderland , reigning champions Liverpool , Brighton , Nottingham Forest , and Tottenham on the horizon, Amorim's United squad will have their work cut out as they strive to regain momentum.

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.