Ferdinand Backs De Zerbi as United's Summer Target; Keys Pushes Case for Alonso

Rio Ferdinand has thrown his weight behind Roberto De Zerbi as the ideal candidate to take Manchester United's reins permanently come summer, insisting the Marseille manager represents a "gettable" option with the tactical acumen the club desperately needs.

With Michael Carrick now installed as interim boss until season's end—following Ruben Amorim's sacking last week and a brief spell under Darren Fletcher—INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are preparing to identify their long-term solution. Ferdinand believes De Zerbi fits the bill perfectly, combining meticulous coaching with the intensity United require.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand outlined his vision for the club's next appointment. He emphasised the need for a manager capable of injecting genuine passion and tactical rigour, someone who can elevate individual players whilst establishing a clear footballing philosophy. De Zerbi, he argued, possesses precisely those qualities—a coach who can implement any system and extract maximum performance from his squad.

Thomas Tuchel, the England head coach, represents Ferdinand's secondary choice, though he rates De Zerbi above the German tactician for availability and proven track record at Brighton.

"I'd bring fire to the party," Ferdinand stated, clarifying he wasn't advocating for erratic management but rather a strong-willed figure capable of commanding respect and implementing genuine tactical identity.

Elsewhere, former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys has made an impassioned plea for United to pursue Xabi Alonso, the former Liverpool midfielder currently available after his dismissal from Real Madrid. Keys argues the club should spare no effort in securing the Spaniard, dismissing concerns about his Anfield past by noting that Matt Busby and other legendary United figures also boasted connections to rival clubs.

Meanwhile, former United defender Paul Parker has identified Oliver Glasner as his dream appointment, though he harbours serious reservations about whether the Crystal Palace manager would accept the role given the club's current dysfunction. Parker praised Glasner's achievements at Selhurst Park—including two trophies and European qualification—but suggested the German's demands for autonomy and control would clash fundamentally with United's existing power structure, where the manager operates under significant external constraint.