Patrice Evra says Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique would be a ‘dream’ appointment for Manchester United but admitted Michael Carrick deserves an opportunity to impress further following his promising start to life at Old Trafford.
The former United left-back has shared his view on the type of manager the Red Devils should target for their anticipated permanent appointment after the season.
While Evra has not ruled out Carrick staying in the job long-term, saying his former United teammate has ‘done a great job’ so far, the Frenchman admitted Enrique would be the ideal appointment for the Old Trafford side following his treble-winning season in France.
Patrice Evra Wants Luis Enrique at Man Utd
Evra, as quoted on X, has revealed that Enrique would be his ‘dream’ appointment for Manchester United this summer and said the Spanish manager would bring intensity and authority to the club:
“Luis Enrique would be a dream coach for Man United. I love the man, I love his philosophy, what he went through in his personal life and overcame it shows his personality.
“The job he’s done at PSG by bringing them a Champions League without Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe or Neymar, it’s a fantastic job.
“Players would have to work really hard to play for Man United, they’ll have to run a lot and I think Enrique would bring that.”
Evra has also not ruled out his former United teammate Carrick staying in the role long-term after his ‘great’ start:
“But, I don’t think we should write off Michael Carrick, he’s done a great job and we need to give him an opportunity.
“People want an amazing manager for Man United, but right now, we need someone who understands the club and the players. Enrique is a genius tactician and great with players, but I think Carrick deserves a chance.”
Enrique is under contract with PSG until the end of the 2026/27 season, which makes his arrival at Old Trafford complicated, considering United are more likely to head for a manager who is a free agent.
The likes of Roberto De Zerbi and Julian Nagelsmann have been mentioned as potential candidates, while Carrick staying has also not been ruled out, provided United qualify for the Champions League this season.
Luis Enrique’s Coaching Career So Far
A former right midfielder, Enrique retired from the professional game in 2004 and four years later became head coach of Barcelona B.
After three years with the Catalan youth side, the Spanish tactician had season-long stints at Roma and Celta Vigo before being appointed Barcelona manager in the summer of 2014.
Enrique led Barcelona to two La Liga titles, three Spanish Cups and a Champions League title in 2015 during his three seasons at the club.
After a four-year stint with the Spain national team, Enrique took over at PSG in the summer of 2023 and has won almost every possible trophy during his two-and-a-half years at Parc des Princes, including the Champions League title last season.
Luis Enrique Tactics Explained
Amid Evra’s admiration for Enrique, we asked ChatGPT to explain the tactical approach that has brought the Spanish manager so much success:
Possession-based control – Luis Enrique builds teams that dominate the ball, circulating possession quickly to control tempo and create space between defensive lines.
High pressing – His sides press aggressively after losing the ball, aiming to recover possession quickly and keep opponents pinned in their own half.
Fluid attacking movement – Rather than relying on a fixed striker, his forwards rotate positions, while full-backs push high to provide width and stretch defences.
Kylian Mbappe is lighting up the 2026 World Cup as he looks to fire France to their second success in world football’s biggest competition since 2018.
The Real Madrid forward is firmly in the Golden Boot race against the likes of Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Vinicius Junior, having found the net four times in the group stages. Mbappe was crucial to his nation lifting the trophy in 2018, bursting onto the scene as a teenager.
He then had an incredible tournament four years later in Qatar. Despite his side having to settle for second place, the 27-year-old fired in a hat-trick in the final, something only Sir Geoff Hurst has previously managed.
Kylian Mbappe Wearing Different Shirt to France Teammates
Kyle Ross (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
That treble in the final against Argentina helped Mbappe to the Golden Boot in the 2022 World Cup. The versatile forward netted eight times in total, and was undeserving of being on the losing side.
He tends to step up on the big stage when his country needs him. Some eagle-eyed fans may have spotted a difference in the shirt Mbappe is wearing this summer compared to the rest of Didier Deschamps’ men.
Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane are all expected to finish among the top goalscorers in this summer’s tournament.
The reason for that is his Golden Boot victory in 2022. Any active player who has won the individual award at the World Cup is allowed to wear a special patch on the sleeve of their shirt.
England’s Harry Kane and Colombia’s James Rodriguez are the only other players at the tournament this summer allowed to wear the patch, after winning the 2018 and 2014 Golden Boots, respectively.
The award has never been won back-to-back in the competition’s history. But with France being among the strong favourites and expected to go far, there’s every chance their talisman can scoop the honour once again. After all, he’s only four goals away from being the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer.
Mbappe: Lionel Messi Still the Best
Reuters/Maria Lysaker
While Mbappe is hunting his old Paris Saint-Germain teammate Lionel Messi down in the current Golden Boot race and the all-time scoring charts, he still concedes he has a lot to do to overtake the Argentine.
It was no surprise to Les Bleus’ number nine that Messi has continued to deliver on the big stage. He said (per ESPN): “I already knew Messi was going to keep scoring goals. He always does. He’s ahead of me and I’m behind him. I’ll keep scoring to help my national team go as far as possible.”
Following the greatest footballer of all time smashed a hat-trick against Algeria, Mbappe declared him still the best in the world. He claimed:
“It’s clear that Messi is the best in the world, and so is Cristiano [Ronaldo]. For 16 years, he [Messi] has shown his extraordinary talent. I’m just trying to do what I know how to do: show my talent on the biggest stage possible and help my national team.”
Newcastle United have lined up a deal to sign a midfielder this summer, as the Magpies face the possibility of losing some key players in the coming weeks.
A deal for the former seems the most likely, meaning Newcastle are on the market for replacements, and one target is now seemingly in the club’s sights.
Newcastle Add Felix Nmecha To Shortlist
According to a report from journalist Craig Hope, Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha is on Newcastle’s shortlist as a transfer target for this summer.
The Magpies are described as “long-term admirers” of the 25-year-old, who has impressed in the Bundesliga as well as in the World Cup with Germany in recent weeks.
Nmecha has a release clause in his deal worth £73.5 million, though that doesn’t come into effect until next summer. That said, the report claims that there is hope a move can be negotiated for lower than that price.
There is likely to be some competition for Nmecha’s signature, as Manchester United have been linked with a transfer, along with fellow Premier League rivals Liverpool.
It remains to be seen whether Newcastle can get an agreement with both Dortmund and the Germany international over a potential transfer in the coming weeks as a result.
Newcastle are facing a tough summer transfer window, with Anthony Gordon’s exit set to be just the first of a few key moves away from the club.
Given the struggles in the Premier League last season, the Magpies will be keen to not be in a weaker position next campaign when it comes to the options available.
However, it may be the sales that help ensure that is the case. Selling some important players in favour of huge transfer fees could allow it to be reinvested in a way that will add a better balance of quality across the whole squad.
Newcastle United are in the market for a striker, as one star looks set to leave the club this summer.
That, in theory, should allow the team to become stronger. But that will only happen if the right transfer replacements are found for the right price.
That was the theory in practice last summer, with Alexander Isak’s sale generating a club-record fee, but resulting in the wrong options being signed to take his place.
Newcastle cannot allow a repeat of that, especially in the midfield engine room, which has been among the key areas of strength under Howe.
Yan Diomande’s early coach Faissal Chehade explains why Liverpool could be the perfect fit, and why his ceiling may be Ballon d’Or level.
Chehade, who worked with Diomande at Leganés, reveals on Market Madness what stood out from the very beginning: the confidence, the one-v-one ability, the training-ground moments that made coaches take notice, and the mentality behind his rise from rejection across Europe to becoming one of the most talked-about young players in world football.
He also breaks down why Leipzig was the right step, why Liverpool could give Diomande the platform to become “the main man,” and why he believes the winger has the potential to reach the very top of the game.
Chapters:
0:09 — Yan Diomande’s First Coach Reveals the Talent
2:07 — The Training Goal That Made Everyone Stop
3:36 — Why Yan Diomande Was Rejected Across Europe
4:21 — Why Leipzig Was the Perfect Move for Diomande
4:55 — Why Liverpool Could Be Yan Diomande’s Perfect Fit
8:02 — Yan Diomande’s Ballon d’Or Ceiling Explained
