MASSIMILIANO ALLEGRI has fuelled rumours he is interested in the Manchester United job by admitting he’s learning English.
The Red Devils were said to be “very close” to agreeing a deal to bring the former Juventus boss to Old Trafford to replace under-fire Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
How Manchester United could line up after a shake-up from Max Allegri
When asked about his links to United, Allegri said: “I speak English too poorly for now, but I am learning.”
The Italian left his job at Juventus in the summer and had planned to take a year-long break – much like Pep Guardiola between 2012 and 2013 after quitting Barcelona.
But reports in Italy have already claimed that Allegri is planning on bringing misfit Juventus pair Mario Mandzukic and Emre Can with him to Old Trafford.
Former Liverpool midfielder Can, 25, has made just three appearances this term and was axed from Maurizio Sarri’s 25-man Champions League squad.
Veteran striker Mandzukic, 33, is yet to even feature this season and is believed to have already verbally agreed a £10m switch to Manchester.
United have been left with a young and fairly inexperienced duo of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial this season, with the pair widely considered as more effective out wide rather than through the middle.
And Mandzukic’s arrival may allow Allegri to restore England star Rashford back on the wing, where he flourishes under Gareth Southgate.
United may even return for the Croatian’s Juventus teammate Paulo Dybala, with the Argentine forward close to joining the club in the summer.
But Allegri could be the man to broker the move, with his arrival also boding well for the future of Paul Pogba.
The Frenchman rose to become one of the most sought after midfielders in the world under the Italian’s tutelage but has failed to consistently show his best form since his return to England.
United are in desperate need of an overhaul, with the Red Devils making an awful start to the season and finding themselves well out of the reckoning for the Champions League places.
Amidst their woeful run of form, Solskjaer could follow the same fate as Jose Mourinho before him.
Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward didn’t hesitate with Solskjaer’s predecessor when things weren’t going to plan.
Should Allegri join, he is hoping to bring Patrice Evra – currently working on his Uefa coaching badges with the United youth side – with him as part of his backroom team.
Allegri has admitted he is learning English ahead of a potential move to Man UtdCredit: Reuters
Man Utd ‘very close’ to agreeing deal for Allegri to replace under-fire Solskjaer, Italian reports claim
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
