Louis Saha: Next Manchester United Manager Needs To Play The Way We Used To Play

Former Manchester United forward Louis Saha believes the next permanent manager of the Red Devils needs to rediscover the club's DNA.

Under interim manager Michael Carrick, who has been given the job until the end of the season, United have won back-to-back games against Manchester City and Arsenal to climb to fourth in the Premier League.

United earned rave reviews for the way they played in both games under Carrick and supporters will hope they can continue to play attacking football until the end of the season. 

Speaking exclusively to casino comparison site Gambling.com, Saha hopes the manager in place to start the 2026/27 season continues with the style of play he played during his spell at Old Trafford.

"We were able to really focus on winning only, that was Manchester United," Saha said.

Top Of Premier League:

"We were able to get results, get consistency, be aggressive and play attacking football and this needs to be at the centre of who we [United] pick as a manager.

"Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was close [to that] in a few games, but the others [since Sir Alex Ferguson] changed the way we used to play - or not used to play - because every year you have to adapt a little bit as football changes and rules change. 

"Those values, the kind of arrogance and tempo you need to impose, is part of the Man United DNA, and I think Michael knows that."

New Manager Needs To Embrace Old Style

Former captain Roy Keane, who won 12 major trophies at Old Trafford including seven league titles and the Champions League, wants a strong manager to replace Ruben Amorim, who was sacked following a poor run of results and a clash with the club's hierarchy.

Fellow Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville named Carlo Ancelotti and Thomas Tuchel as possible managers for next season. 

Saha appreciates the qualities of both, but questions their stye of play - if they were named the next Manchester United manager. 

"There are a few other managers who have an amazing pedigree like Tuchel, Ancelotti or even Zinedine Zidane," Saha said.

"But they will might come with different staff and all that. I think it's been a mistake over the last 12 years. 

"Jose Mourinho was a great manager, but he imposed a new philosophy inside the club and I don't think it worked at Man United. 

"Some say we were really attacking inside, but we were also very aggressive."

The Hard Work Begins Now

Saha is delighted to have taken six points from their clashes against City and Arsenal in the last two games. 

Whatever happens between now and the end of the season, there is still work to be done on and off the pitch for the club to be 'back' officially. 

With no cup ties to distract him, Carrick has a favourable run of fixtures coming up that supporters will expect maximum points from.

United's Next Six Games:

"There is still a lot of work to do, some weird challenges against smaller teams," Saha said. 

"This is the biggest thing United were used to - being composed against those big sides. 

"However, for some reason against Wolverhampton or other smaller sides that you may think that you have an advantage, that's not the case. 

"We need to see that as a test, and if it's the case, I think Carrick is on to something, he has created something. Bring some players that play in the right position or play in the right framework in some way. 

"It does provide an advantage. It doesn't solve every problem because still, the squad is not as strong as we think, so I think the element of communication [is important] and relax about what the mission is.

"It has to be very clear. I think by being in that position where they just sacked the manager, they know there are things to fix and it will allow Carrick to work now with these two good games."

Who should be Manchester United's next permanent manager? Let us know in the comments box below!