'He would walk...' - Manchester United legend disrespects Aston Villa with Unai Emery claim

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has said that Unai Emery would 'walk' to Old Trafford if the Aston Villa boss was offered the manager's job.

The Red Devils are on the hunt for a new first-team manager after parting company with Erik ten Hag on Monday. A 2-1 defeat to West Ham brought to an end the Dutchman's reign, and Ruud van Nistelrooy has been placed in interim charge ahead of their Carabao Cup tie against Leicester City.

Scholes who had two separate spells as a player with Man Utd, believes that they need an ‘elite’ coach that has won trophies. Emery fits the bill as he is a serial winner of the UEFA Europa League.

Emery is yet to win any trophies at Villa, but has transformed them from a side battling relegation in the Premier League to qualifying for the Champions League, where they currently top the league phase. New England boss Thomas Tuchel was Scholes’ preferred choice, but spoke highly of Emery, whilst also discussing his time in charge of Arsenal.

“I think they need an elite coach who’s won stuff in the game before,” said Scholes who was speaking on talkSPORT.

“If Man United went for Unai Emery tomorrow I’m pretty sure he would walk there. 

“As well as he’s done at Aston Villa, I’ve got a great respect for Aston Villa, I love them as a football club. Man United compare to Aston Villa is a total different kettle of fish. 

“He went to Arsenal, it didn’t quite go well. I always feel he does well at them clubs that are just a little bit below the top level clubs.

“Valencia, Sevilla, and they’re similar typed clubs in their leagues and he seems to do well. You have to say what he’s done is brilliant. If Manchester United go for him then it wouldn’t be the biggest shock in the world.”

According to various outlets including the Independent, Ruben Amorim is in talks with the Old Trafford club. The Sporting Lisbon boss was linked with the Liverpool and West Ham jobs in the summer, and talks are expected to be sped up, with United wanting to reach an agreement by the weekend.

United are willing to negotiate with Sporting over Amorim's release fee, so much to the point that his backroom staff has been spoken about. Villa have already played Man United this season, with the two playing to a goalless draw in early October. The two sides aren't scheduled to meet each other now until the final day of the 2024/25 campaign.