Marseille sack Roberto De Zerbi amid links to Manchester United

Manchester United’s season is drifting along, and they are stuck somewhere between holding things together and facing those big, long-term decisions everyone knows are coming.

Lately, results have improved a bit.

That’s bought the board some breathing room, but it hasn’t quieted the debates about where the club’s really headed.

Behind closed doors, the same conversations keep circling; who’s next and what’s the plan.

There’s always another name in the rumour mill, another backup plan on the table.

And with European football a real possibility next season, United know the next manager has to have both pedigree and a clear tactical identity.

Now, there’s a major new twist as Roberto De Zerbi just left Marseille.

He and the club parted ways after a rough patch, which saw Marseille hammered 5-0 by PSG and dumped out of the Champions League after a 3-0 loss to Club Brugge.

Roberto De Zerbi arrived in France from Brighton where his bold style got him noticed all over Europe.

Even though his time in France ended sooner than expected, he didn’t exactly flop.

Last season he took Marseille to second in Ligue 1, and this year they’re sitting fourth, though miles behind PSG.

Marseille’s official statement on their website read, “Olympique de Marseille and Roberto De Zerbi, coach of the first team, have announced the end of their collaboration by mutual agreement.”

“Following discussions between all stakeholders in the club’s management – the owner, president, director of football, and coach – it was decided to make a change at the helm of the first team.

“This was a difficult collective decision, taken after careful consideration in the best interests of the club, in order to respond to the sporting challenges of the end of the season.”

So, De Zerbi’s name is suddenly back in the mix for United.

As soon as the news broke, the rumors fired up again.

People close to the situation say De Zerbi’s being discussed again, especially since he already knows the Premier League and how demanding it can be.

Then there’s Michael Carrick.

Since stepping in as interim, he hasn’t lost in five matches.

He’s won some quiet support in the dressing room.

Right now, United are at a crossroads.

De Zerbi’s sudden availability just adds another twist, making things more interesting but not necessarily any clearer.