Reports suggest that if Manchester United changes managers, the preferred choice of the Glazers would be a young coach costing around £10 million! Known as the "Little Guardiola," he is famed for achieving great results with limited funds.

Manchester United’s manager Rúben Amorim has recorded the club’s poorest start in Premier League history this season, increasing the pressure on him. While the club still backs him for now, if the Red Devils opt for a managerial change, Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola is considered a top contender.

Last weekend, Manchester United were thrashed 0-3 by Manchester City, with Amorim collecting just 4 points from the opening 4 Premier League matches, marking the worst start in 33 years. Coupled with a shock League Cup exit to Grimsby, Amorim’s stubborn 3-4-3 tactical approach has drawn significant criticism. He insists he won’t alter his coaching philosophy, but if United wants to reverse their fortunes, some adjustments seem necessary.

It is reported that Iraola is among the candidates along with Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner, Fulham’s Marco Silva, and former England manager Gareth Southgate. Bournemouth have won 3 of their first 4 matches this season, achieving their best top-flight start ever, losing only the opening game to defending champions Liverpool.

This performance is especially impressive considering Bournemouth sold key players like Corker, Huysen, and Zalbani this summer. Initially, many predicted the "Cherries" would struggle to avoid relegation, but after 4 rounds they have secured 9 points and sit fourth in the table, making survival look quite certain.

Earlier this year, Iraola led Bournemouth to a record-breaking 8 consecutive Premier League wins, including a 3-0 triumph over Manchester United. In comparison, Ten Hag and Amorim combined have not managed back-to-back league wins in a single season!

All these achievements have sparked widespread praise for the 43-year-old young coach Iraola, who as a player was mentored by Chilean "madman coach" Bielsa at Athletic Bilbao. As a manager, he is known for achieving great things on a small budget, making good use of players, and implementing his own football philosophy—qualities admired by Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Manchester City are also interested in the Spanish coach, and if Guardiola leaves, he could be their successor.

Reportedly, Iraola’s contract with Bournemouth includes a £10 million release clause, meaning any big club willing to pay that fee and reach an agreement with him could sign this rising star coach at any time. His contract runs until next summer, so the fee might even drop to £7 million. Of course, Manchester United would first need to confirm a managerial change before taking concrete steps.

Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reiterated that all rumors about Manchester United changing managers are purely speculative, and the club currently has no plans to sack Amorim. "No decision has been made yet, and United have not replaced their manager, so everything else is just speculation. If there is a change in Amorim’s position, then we will see who they choose next."

It is understood that Amorim spent £225 million in the summer transfer window, so the Glazers will give him more time to prove himself, especially since CEO Omar Berrada and sporting director Jason Wilcox, who advocated for his appointment, are reluctant to dismiss a coach they worked hard to sign less than a year ago.

However, David Ornstein, a respected expert from Athletic Network, said that although Amorim is unlikely to be sacked now, the current results cannot continue. Amorim’s coaching performance is far from satisfactory, and if things persist, changes will come.

Ornstein stated: "Saying Amorim’s tenure hasn’t gone as planned is putting it mildly. He’s been in charge less than a year, and things have darkened again. It feels a bit like 'Groundhog Day'—a repetitive cycle of chaos. But if you talk to people around Manchester United, they are quick to highlight improvements in performance data. Martin Samuel mocked this in The Times, pointing out that football is about results, specifically scoring goals, and United are still far from achieving that."

Regarding rumors that Amorim could be dismissed within five matches, Ornstein said: "I believe this situation can’t continue logically. But I don’t know exactly how many games it will take, as United are reluctant to change managers again so soon."