And ex-Real Madrid boss Zidane has set his sights on the Old Trafford gig after turning down numerous jobs in order to make himself immediately available to move to England.
The 46-year-old Frenchman is taking a sabbatical after two-and-a-half years in charge at the Bernabeu.
Zidane, who replaced Rafa Benitez in charge, was seen as a calming influence in the Real Madrid changing room and was able to unite a group of underperforming superstars.
Under Zidane’s stewardship, the Spanish giants went on to win the Champions League within five months of him being in charge.Los Blancos went on to win La Liga in his first full year season in the dugout and twice retained the Champions League.
If United part company with the Portuguese, Zidane’s man-management style will be attractive to executive-vice chairman Ed Woodward and the club’s board as an antidote to Mourinho's abrasive approach.
SunSport exclusively revealed the United squad were stunned by Mourinho's comments about Phil Jones and Eric Bailly after Tuesday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Derby.
Jones missed the eighth penalty at Old Trafford against the Championship side with Mourinho publicly humiliating the defensive pair post-match.
He said: “I knew we were going to be in trouble with Jones and with Eric. I knew we were going to be in trouble then.”
Mourinho’s comments have had a negative impact on top of his training ground bust-up with Pogba in front of TV cameras on Wednesday.
United are already eight points off the pace in the Premier League, and there is a feeling another manager could get more out of the squad currently at Mourinho’s disposal.
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