Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit has delivered a scathing assessment of Manchester United's current state, claiming Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique would have no interest in joining the "circus" at Old Trafford.
The 'Clowns' Behind the Scenes
Speaking to German outlet Hochgepokert, Petit expressed disbelief that a manager of Enrique's calibre would consider swapping the Parc des Princes for Manchester. The Spaniard, who led PSG to Champions League glory last season, is under contract until 2027 but has been linked with the United job following Ruben Amorim's sacking earlier this month.
Petit's core argument centres on control. He highlighted that the Qatari owners at PSG finally gave Enrique full sporting autonomy, which he believes was key to their European success. "He has the power to say, 'No, I want to keep him. Sell this player. Bring this player,'" Petit stated.
He then contrasted this with the environment at United, asking: "So if he comes, if he goes to Manchester United, do you think that will work with all these clowns behind him at Manchester United?" Petit painted a picture of a club where executives constantly interfere in football matters, undermining the manager.
Why the Top Managers Would Say No
The French World Cup winner extended his criticism beyond Enrique, suggesting no elite coach would touch the United job in its present condition. "Can you imagine the likes of Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique, Jurgen Klopp, Carlo Ancelotti, or Jose Mourinho coming to Manchester United in their current state? Not a chance," he declared.
Petit accused the club's hierarchy, specifically referencing owners Ineos, of wanting a "puppet" rather than a true manager. He drew parallels with their running of French club Nice, claiming they are "doing such bad, bad work" for the same reasons.
He sarcastically wished luck to interim boss Michael Carrick—who started with a 2-0 win over Manchester City—and any permanent successor, predicting they would be fired within months but leave with a hefty pay-off. "After five months, he will be fired and will leave the club with between £10-15 million," Petit claimed.
Enrique's Future and United's Search
While rumours swirl about Enrique's contract, the manager himself recently dismissed talk of a rejected extension as "fake news" that would not destabilise his PSG squad. Meanwhile, United's search continues.
According to the latest betting odds, the contenders include Oliver Glasner at 6/5, Michael Carrick at 9/2, and Gareth Southgate at 6/1. Luis Enrique is a 20/1 outsider, a reflection of the perceived improbability of such a move.
Petit concluded that for any top manager, the sole condition for taking the United job would be total control. "If I was Luis Enrique and Man Utd wanted me, I would have one condition, to be the manager, not the head coach... Would they agree? I'm not sure about that. We have seen how disastrous this club is."
