Manchester United is expected to appoint the former coach of Barcelona Xavi Hernandez according to Manchester Evening News Steven Railston.

FC Barcelona v Villarreal CF - LaLiga EA Sports

BARCELONA, SPAIN - JANUARY 27: Head Coach Xavi Hernandez of FC Barcelona looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Villarreal CF at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on January 27, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Manchester Utd made another mid-season sacking on Monday when it was announced that Ruben Amorim had left the club.

When Ruben Amorim led his first Manchester United press conference in November 2024, he said: "I really feel that I am the right person at the right time. It might be wrong, but the earth will turn and the sun will rise again. It doesn't matter and I don't care.

Amorim was sacked at dawn following United's draw with Leeds on Sunday but kept his word at his first away conference, pictured with a carefree look on his face hours after his sacking.

The 40-year-old earned around £10 million in compensation and will return to Portugal with his family.

Now the question at Old Trafford is who will be hired to replace Amorim permanently?

Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola are already interesting. Glasner has done a magnificent job during his time at Selhurst Park and his contract with Crystal Palace expires at the end of the campaign.

Iraola's contract at Bournemouth also expires this summer, but is either of these managers right for the United job? Glasner played five at the back - although the tactics in that system are different to those at Amorim - while Iraola is not the flavor of the month at Bournemouth after a poor run of results.

Bookmakers have rated Glaser, Gareth Southgate, Mauricio Pochettino, Unai Emery, Xavi, Iraola and Zinedine Zidane as the most likely replacements, but United should consider the former Barcelona midfielder on that list, not the former Real Madrid midfielder.

Although there is no stand-out candidate, Xavi is more attractive than most. The Spaniard has been unemployed since leaving Barcelona in 2024 and will be available immediately.

Darren Fletcher will take charge against Burnley and United are considering hiring an interim manager to oversee the rest of the season, which could be Fletcher, but manager Ralf Rangnick has highlighted the dangers of hiring a manager who comes with a short-term tenure.

Xavi took up his second managerial role at Barcelona in 2021, replacing Ronald Koeman, and led Barcelona to their first La Liga title in four years in his first full season in charge.

The 45-year-old took charge of Barcelona during one of the club's most difficult periods due to financial problems, but he turned the team around and won the Spanish Supercup and the league title.

The way Barcelona won their games was impressive. Xavi played a 4-3-3, designed to be an attacking system, something United fans have been crying out for since Amorim's dismissal.

Xavi reflected on his time at Barcelona and said that "beyond the trophies" he was proud to believe in a new generation, promoting players such as Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi and Alejandro Balde.

Many young players promoted by Xavi played a crucial role in the success of his replacement, Hansi Flick.

Xavi is a manager who understands the importance of confidence in young players, which is another box to tick if he is good for United. Xavi would have no problem managing England's biggest club.

Barcelona is even bigger than United in the world and the Catalan press is among the harshest critics of the world media.

He commanded respect in the dressing room as one of the best midfielders to ever play, and learned from Pep Guardiola during his time at Barcelona.

Mikel Arteta learned from Guardiola as a member of his coaching staff at Manchester City and improved Arsenal significantly. Enzo Maresca's reputation grew after working with Guardiola. Several clubs were looking for the best alternative for Guardiola. Xavi could fit that bill for United.

He speaks excellent English and spoke warmly of United in the press conference room at Old Trafford in 2023. This reporter attended Xavi's press conference that evening and couldn't help but think he could be the next United manager. The cards are now in place to make this a reality.