Former Paris Saint-German boss Laurent Blanc is in line to replace Jose Mourinho as a temporary caretaker until the end of the season. The French International spent three years as a player under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford between 2001 and 2003.
According to the reliable English outlet Sky Sports, Laurent Blanc was one of the names to have emerged when the United board discussed a replacement for the Portuguese International Jose Mourinho. Besides, Blanc played an influential hand and helped Manchester United lift the 2003 Premier League title during his playing days with the English outfit.
The Red Devils vice-chairman thinks that the 53-year-old would conduct himself well with the English club as he already knows the Old Trafford tradition. With various reports emerging that Zinedine Zidane could make way to United as a permanent candidate, Blanc seems like a decent option until the end of the season.
Laurent Blanc was a great individual talent during his playing days, but he did not have an opportunity to lift the League title until he won a Premier League title with Manchester United in 2003 which was before hanging up his boots. It will remain a special club for the French International who tasted culmination of his club career. However, he was part of France squad which lifted the World Cup in 1998 and the Euro Championship in 2000.
He kick-started his managerial career with the French outfit Bordeaux and was successful with the club. During his first season, he finished second in the league and won manager of the year award. The successive season saw him lift the Ligue 1 for the first time in 10 years. During the 2009/10 Champions League campaign, Bordeaux topped the group despite having Juventus and Bayern Munich.
Following his extraordinary success, the French national team was the next stop for the former Bordeaux manager. From day one, things did not pan out well for the 53-year-old who could not put a foot right and struggled for results with the National team.
Blanc accepted an offer from Paris Saint-German in the summer of 2013. With hefty financial muscle, he opted to sign the likes of Marquinhos, Yohan Cabaye, Edinson Cavani, Adrien Rabiot, and Lucas Digne. He turned out to be an instant success by lifting the Ligue 1 title in 2013/14 season. The next two League titles also belonged to Paris Saint-Germain under Laurent Blanc.
Due to the underachievement and the failure to qualify for the Champions League Quarterfinals, the owners decided to relieve him from the duties. Nothing has changed with the French outfit as they continue to strive hard to lift a European trophy.
With the current defensive problems at Manchester United, Laurent Blanc would prove to be a good candidate to replace Mourinho and help them finish in a Champions League spot. The attacking players including Anthony Martial, Romelu Lukaku, and Alexis Sanchez are looking for a new formula to pick themselves under the new manager.
For the time being, Blanc is a leading candidate to take over the Old Trafford hot seat, but things could change drastically any time.
