Manchester United are coming off of a huge win in the Champions League in midweek against Atalanta. The Red Devils came back from being two goals down to get a 3-2 victory and give themselves a major boost amid a tough run of fixtures. They will be taking on an in-form Liverpool next in the Premier League.
Over their previous 8 games, Manchester United have lost 4 times, drawn once and won just 3 times. It is safe to say that they need to improve drastically if they are to challenge for trophies this season.
Naturally, questions have been raised about the future of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the club. The Norwegian manager is nearing three years in the role but has not been able to guide the Red Devils to silverware till now.
One name which has been brought up constantly as a potential candidate if Manchester United did decide to replace Solskjaer as manager is that of Antonio Conte.
Antonio Conte’s demands to become Manchester United manager revealed
The general feeling is that Conte is interested in the Old Trafford job. But there are certain conditions that the Italian manager will want to be met.
While speaking on The Transfer Window Podcast and as reported by the Daily Star, Duncan Castles said:
"“Conte’s position, I’m told, is that he is interested in the Manchester United job but not without restrictions.“Antonio Conte, when he chooses his next club, wants a club where he can win the Champions League. He wants to demonstrate, he’s wanted to do it for a long time, that he is one of the very best coaches in world football.”"
Castles acknowledged that Conte would require certain conditions to be met, they are the unwavering support of the board and the ability to choose his own tactics. He would also need the support of the players in order to push them hard.
There is no question about the fact that Conte is one of the best managers in world football right now. Over his last seven seasons as manager, he has won five league titles across three teams – Juventus, Chelsea and Inter Milan. Even more impressively, none of these teams were favourites when he arrived.
For all his brilliance, he is yet to win the Champions League as a manager though and that appears to be his next target.