- In 2020, Nagelsmann was tipped as a future Manchester United manager
- German expected to be contacted ahead of permament manager decision
- Leading alternative to interim boss Michael Carrick
On 28 October 2020, Manchester United welcomed RB Leipzig to Old Trafford for a Champions League group-stage match. In charge of the German side that day was Julian Nagelsmann, who even then was tipped as a future Man United manager.
The game ended in a 5-0 victory to United, thanks to goals from Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial and a hat-trick for Marcus Rashford. Nevertheless, it was a huge learning curve for the former Leipzig boss.
His overall success at The Red Bulls propelled him into high-pressure jobs such as Bayern Munich, and currently the German national team. This summer’s World Cup will be his first, and despite last year signing a contract until the end of Euro 2028, he will be pursued by the Red Devils.
Open Ended Affection for Old Trafford
In the build-up to the game at Old Trafford in 2020, Nagelsmann spoke fondly about all things Manchester United.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: “I’ve never played in Old Trafford or been there. It will be a great experience. I watched a lot of games in the Theatre of Dreams and of Manchester United on television. Now, to be part of the stadium will be perfect.” To this day, it remains the only time that the 38-year-old has visited Manchester as an opposition.
When Sir Alex Ferguson led the 1999 team to complete the historical treble at Camp Nou, Nagelsmann was just 11 years old.
Reminiscing, the German continued: “Bayern Munich v Manchester United, for example, the final when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored. Ryan Giggs did a lot of big games for Manchester United, Paul Scholes, Ruud Van Nistelrooy… a lot of players. I watched nearly every game of Manchester United 10 years ago, when I was a younger guy and a player.”
He also had praise for the legendary boss: “Sir Alex Ferguson had a long and very successful time for Manchester United, so it was also interesting to watch him, what he changed from one season to the next.”
United Links Run Deep
When Nagelsmann was at Leipzig, he worked under the technical director Christopher Vivell. Since 2024, Vivell has been United’s director of recruitment. He is said to have been influential in bringing Benjamin Sesko to the club last summer.
It begs the question, within the INEOS bubble, whether he would be quick to endorse Nagelsmann as Ruben Amorim’s permanent successor. It has been confirmed that his name is on INEOS’ radar ahead of the new season.
The leading candidates as of now are Carrick and Nagelsmann, with some scrutiny being placed on the Englishman after the 2-1 defeat to Leeds on Monday. The pressure cooker will be fully turned up on Saturday. A win against Chelsea would move the Reds 10 points away from sixth place. However, a win would dangerously reduce the gap to just 4 points with a handful of league games to go.
