Zinedine Zidane wants Barcelona star Jules Kounde at Manchester United | OneFootball

Zinedine Zidane is open to managing Manchester United and the French manager already has a potential first signing in mind, as per reports.

Following United’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur late in September, multiple reports suggested Erik ten Hag’s failure to produce encouraging results against FC Porto and Aston Villa might intensify pressure on the club’s hierarchy to make a change at the helm during the international break.

The Dutch coach is still at United and everything points to him being in charge of the Red Devils against Brentford after the international break.

This, however, has not stopped the Old Trafford outfit being linked with high-profile managers. A report in Spain (via Football365) has thrown Zidane’s name into the mix.

The Frenchman, who guided Real Madrid to a hattrick of Champions League crowns, has been without a club since 2021 and has so far not shown he is in a great hurry to jump back into management.

However, the report claims Zidane “would be open to the possibility of landing at Old Trafford.”

The report does not stop there, with it claiming the ex-Los Blancos manager “already has a priority target in mind” for the upcoming winter transfer window.

It is understood Zidane is demanding his compatriot Jules Kounde as his first signing. The Barcelona defender has “aroused the interest of Zidane” and “would be fundamental” to strengthen United’s shaky backline.

The France international, who joined the Blaugrana from Sevilla in 2022, was a guaranteed starter under Xavi, owing to his technical prowess and ability to play at the heart of defence as well as at right-back. He has also started the season under new manager Hansi Flick on a promising note.

Barcelona certainly value his skill sets and it is believed they are “not willing to let one of their most important players go.” Further, the player is also thought to be “committed to the Barça project.”

Meanwhile, despite signing three new defenders during the summer transfer window, Ten Hag finds himself relying on 36-year-old Jonny Evans to save the day.

Against Aston Villa, the veteran started over Lisandro Martinez. Now, he could be deployed at left-back amid question marks over Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, and Noussair Mazraoui’s return dates.

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