There could be an Italian coach on the Manchester United bench in the near future, but not one of the usual suspects like Massimiliano Allegri or Simone Inzaghi, who have been linked to the job a few times, but rather Vincenzo Montella, who’s currently helming the Turkish national team, local outlet A Spor relays (via Virgilio).

The gaffer has already reportedly met with the Red Devils brass to discuss his contract and the technical project should Erik Ten Hag get the ax. The English powerhouse are currently 14th with just 8 points after 7 Premier League rounds. They have drawn twice in the Europa League’s group stage, versus Twente and Porto.

Montella could land at Manchester United after bouncing back in Turkey. He finished ninth and fourth with Adana Demirspor after a promotion. Instead, he qualified for Euro 2024 and reached the Round of Eight with the national team.

The Campanian gaffer managed Roma, Catania, Fiorentina twice, and Milan in Serie A. He achieved the best results in his first turn with the Viola, concluding in fourth position on three occasions. His return didn’t go well. He was fired by the Rossoneri 14 matches into his second season following a sixth-placed finish. He also had a cup of coffee with Sevilla.

The Red Devils just lost a potential high-profile candidate as Tomas Tuchel took over England.

Our Take on Manchester United and Montella

He has done a lot for his reputation by leaving the top leagues, as things got progressively worse for him basically since 2016, but it’d still be a rather outside-of-the-box choice even though it’s not easy to find an elite free-agent coach. Perhaps they’ll poach somebody.

Few months to complete Galatasaray loan deal, good news have been coming for the hardworking Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen, after an unnamed club in Saudi Arabia ready to offers more money, SMI reports exclusively.

Details Later…

Former Italian striker Paolo Di Canio believes Juventus would do well to snap up the services of Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee.

The 23-year-old rose to prominence during his time at Bologna, and there were rumors linking him with the Bianconeri last summer, especially following the appointment of his mentor Thiago Motta.

Nevertheless, the Dutchman ended up sealing a big-money move to Old Trafford, but he’s been struggling for form and goals in his early days in the Premier League.

So in his interview with Tuttosport (via IlBianconero), Di Canio suggests a loan move to Juventus, as he believes Zirkzee would struggle with the the fast-paced EPL.

“I would loan Zirkzee from Manchester United. They’ve been making crazy choices for several years and none of them are working, not even Zirkzee who’s a bit too slow for the Premier League.

“Perhaps he’ll prove me wrong with goals and great performances, but in England, they attack you straight away and whistle 30% fewer fouls. In Italy, we saw his impact on Bologna. In the end, amidst the confusion at United, they could even loan him out. They already have Hojlund, and then there’s Rashford who can play as a striker.

“He’d be the perfect profile for Juventus, also because it would allow Motta to have a striker with different characteristics to Vlahovic. Zirkzee isn’t a devastating scorer, he’s not someone who can score 25 goals, but he help others play well.”

The former Lazio and West Ham striker also insists Juventus summer signing Douglas Luiz is a “top player” despite a slow start to life in Italian football.

“I said that Juventus has signed a top player, and I am still convinced of it. However, what I saw here is a distant relative, he is unrecognisable. Beyond the 50 million valuation, which for me is also a fair price, he is truly a different player compared to the one I saw at Aston Villa.

“I don’t blame the player or the coach, I don’t know what the situation is, but there could be a psychological problem. But I have no doubts about the player’s professsionalism. At Aston Villa, he was an idol and they loved him. Perhaps sitting on the bench saddened him. It’s normal that Thiago now prefers Locatelli who is more focused, more attentive, quicker in the head and on the foot.”