Unai Emery Man Utd top choice for Sir Alex Ferguson title-winner amid Ruben Amorim wait

Manchester United title-winner Lee Sharpe says Unai Emery would be his top choice to be the next manager at Old Trafford.

But the former Red Devils winger, who won the Premier League under Sir Alex Ferguson, does not think Emery would leave Aston Villa for the Theatre of Dreams because of the success he is enjoying at Villa Park.

While United are struggling in the Premier League and Europe, which led to Erik ten Hag being sacked this week, Villa are riding high in fourth place in the top-flight and are top of the new-look Champions League opening phase table.

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Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim looks set to succeed Ten Hag at Old Trafford, once his exit from the Portuguese club has been negotiated, but Sharpe has made it clear his first choice would be Emery.

“Xavi is a name that has been mentioned. I would prefer Unai Emery from Aston Villa, but I don’t think he’s going to leave Villa to join Manchester United with everything that is going on at the club and also because of how well he’s doing in the Midlands,” said Sharpe, speaking to BestBettingSites.com.

Sharpe’s view that Emery would not quit Villa for Old Trafford contrasts to another former United player, Paul Scholes, who believes the Spaniard would jump at the chance given the opportunity.

"If Man United went for Unai Emery tomorrow, I’m pretty sure he would walk there," Scholes said on talkSPORT in the wake of Ten Hag’s exit on Monday.

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