Luis Enrique is firmly on Manchester United’s radar as they continue their search for a new permanent manager.
The Red Devils are still on the lookout for a long-term option at head coach, having appointed Ralf Rangnick as interim boss in the immediate aftermath of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ’s dismissal.
Rangnick has hinted he would be open to continuing beyond the end of this campaign - when he is scheduled to take on a consultancy role at Old Trafford until 2024.
However, new Chief Executive Richard Arnold, along with Football Director John Murtough and Technical Director Darren Fletcher, look set to name a more permanent successor ahead of the 2022/23 season.
A number of names are currently in the frame, including Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino and Ajax head coach Erik ten Hag.
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Mirror Football understands that Enrique has emerged as another candidate to take on the role, having taken Barcelona to the treble in 2015.
Currently in charge of Spain, the 51-year-old is viewed as having the ideal credentials required to turn United around.
Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly keen on linking up with the Spaniard, who took La Roja to within a penalty shootout of the Euro 2020 final last summer.
Reports suggest that Enrique is committed to guiding Spain to the World Cup in Qatar at the end of 2022, meaning United could be forced to wait - if he beats out his rivals for the job.
And Owen Hargreaves, who was part of the United side which won the Champions League in 2008, believes Enrique would be worth the wait and is perfect to help "transform" their fortunes.
Speaking about the potential candidates shortly after Solskjaer’s sacking, the ex-England international pointed at some holes in the other names’ resume, while heaping praise on Enrique.
"I think [Pochettino] commands respect, I think he demands work from the players. But all these names are great names," Hargreaves told BT Sport.
"Brendan has great experience in the league. Zidane, surely the language barrier has got to be a thing.
"[Erik] Ten Hag has done unbelievable with Ajax, but they’re the best team in Holland – is he going to be able to dominate the ball over here in the Premier League like he does in Holland?”
He continued. "I think one name that’s not on there, which I’d like to see, is Luis Enrique.
“If you manage a big football club like Barcelona, and you won the treble there, and then you can go and take a pretty average team to a semi-final [of Euro 2020] in Spain, I think that’s the type of guy [United need].
"And he’s only managing the national team, so I think he could come in and do the job now.
"I think he would transform United from a good team into a great team."
