Oxford United want former Manchester United star as next manager

Oxford United are struggling in their second year in the Championship, as they currently sit at the top of the relegation zone.

With 19 points, Oxford are in 22nd place, only two points below the cut, and with half of the season still to go, have a chance to escape the drop.

However, things need to change in order to do so.

As such, Oxford have officially sacked manager Gary Rowett this week, ending his year at the club nearly to the day.

Now, whilst assistant manager Mark Sale holds the fort as interim manager, plans are in place to replace Rowett with a former Manchester United defender as their top choice.

Alex Crook has reported that the Championship side are looking to John O’Shea as their new head coach.

O’Shea is best known for his days at Old Trafford, having been with United between 1998 and 2011, racking up 394 appearances for The Red Devils.

In this time he even scored 15 goals and made 23 assists, winning five Premier League titles, a Champions League title, the FIFA Club World Cup, and seven domestic cups.

However in 2011 he left to join Sunderland for seven years before ending his career with a year at Reading.

After hanging up his boots, the former Republic of Ireland international remained with Reading, taking on the assistant manager role, before going on to Stoke City, Birmingham and the Republic of Ireland national side.

If John O’Shea does join Oxford United as the club’s new manager, it would make his first appointment as head coach aside from a five month stint as interim manager for the Republic of Ireland national side.