Kevin Palmer: Why Unai Emery is the perfect candidate to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United

If Old Trafford hierarchy decide on a change of manager, brilliant Aston Villa boss has the credentials Red Devils need

After the verdict was announced, it appeared that Unai Emery would not be allowed to return to the Premier League’s upper echelons.

In the view of English football’s elite, Emery’s attempt to lead Arsenal away

from the Arsene Wenger era ended in an undignified exit in November 2019,

leaving a wound on his reputation that would take years to mend.

More devastating than his inability to guide Arsenal to victory was the way he

died; he gave off the impression of a leader who had lost his path long before the scalp was cut.

Emery appeared to be an inexperienced manager at a major league team, which made it clear that this three-time winner of the Europa League would be better off developing young players with modest expectations than attempting to hang with the big boys.

That theory was confirmed in May 2021 when he won a fourth Europa League

title with Villarreal, his underdog team defeating Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s

Manchester United. He returned to Spain after that.

However, there were many questions raised when Aston Villa choose Emery to replace Steven Gerrard in spite of his

stellar record and well-earned reputation for developing players with a

methodical approach that left little to chance.

When Emery’s name is brought up a little over a year later, the skeptics are all singing a totally different joyful melody.

Villa had feared relegation following a dismal start to the previous season under

Gerrard. However, Emery’s quick influence helped the previously

struggling squad win 15 of its 25 games in its inaugural season.

With 49 points, he put an end to Villa’s fears of relegation and propelled them to

a European finish that looked unattainable prior to his arrival.

It was always going to be difficult to follow up that spectacular comeback with consistent success, but Emery has

elevated his club to new heights in the first half of the current campaign.

Villa’s standing in the top four was solidified earlier this month with

victories over Manchester City and Arsenal in back-to-back home games. As

a result, they are now being discussed as potential championship rivals for the

Premier League. Nonetheless, the mastermind behind Emery’s comeback

won’t be taken aback by their achievements.

With 980 games under his managing belt, this 52-year-old strategist didn’t need to

come up with a scheme to turn around his most recent squad when he took over at Villa Park.

Throughout his lengthy coaching career, he has developed a tried-and-true

formula that has consistently produced results. The lessons he took away from his time at Arsenal have also helped him

to sustain the momentum he has built in his second Premier League position.

In a little more than a year, how has Emery transformed Villa’s concerns of relegation into title aspirations?

The tale of Villa’s ascent has several elements, all of which have come

together to give this massive club the kind of boost they haven’t had since

Martin O’Neill managed them in the middle to late 2000s.

Installing a defensive back four that uses a high line was Emery’s first major move.

Stats showing Villa’s prowess in catching opponents offside more often than any

other team this season provide more proof that his coaching style has paid off.

Heading into Friday night’s game against Sheffield United, Villa had successfully

executed their offside trap on 82 occasions, a number that is double that of almost any Premier League rival.

Another key to their success this season has been the contribution of summer

signing Pau Torres, who has carried the ball more than three kilometres this

season, further than any other player in the league.

Torres did the same job for Emery at Villarreal and he knew this 26-year-old

centre-back had the composure on the ball and defensive nous required to deliver his masterplan.

Emery’s success in transforming Scotland midfielder John McGinn into the creative

hub of his team has been a catalyst for so much of their attacking intent.

Then there is the contribution of striker Ollie Watkins, who is second only to

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland for goals scored in open play in 2023.

McGinn confirms that this manager has elevated preparation to a new level. This manager is well-known for his attention to detail and his ability to seize any data.

There are many meetings scheduled. McGinn stated, “Every day is a school day,” but we shouldn’t see his remarks as a subtle jab at his careful manager’s procedures.

“There are a lot of details to take in, but ask any player who has worked with him this year, they would say he has been an absolute pleasure.

“He’s made me better, he’s made other players better. The details you’re going into, you’re going into the games with a clear plan.

“We go out onto the field knowing what will happen in a match and our plan is adaptable. There is not just one tactic and we stick to it. Our results prove what we are doing is bringing success.”

With Manchester United’s Erik ten Hag now the favourite to be the next manager to lose his job in the Premier League following Steve Cooper’s sacking at Nottingham Forest on Thursday, the manager he will shake hands with on the touchline at Old Trafford on St Stephen’s Day has to be a strong candidate to take his place.

Amid this tortured season for United, Ten Hag has been accused of sending his team into battle without a credible tactical plan.

Emery would bring a proven vision to Old Trafford and, while the stain of his failure at Arsenal took time to erase, the Spaniard ruling the roost at Villa has a very different image now.

A serial winner who has a clear vision on how to lift failing players is the kind of candidate United will be looking for if Ten Hag’s time is up and Emery ticks plenty of the boxes they will be looking to fill.

Emery can verify this by letting his wild Villa team loose on United’s frail soldiers at Old Trafford on Tuesday.