United ‘missed a trick’ by not getting Conte
UNITED have been told they ‘missed a trick’ by not appointing Antonio Conte as manager.
Following a heavy and humiliating defeat to bitter rivals Liverpool, pressure increased on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the Italian was identified as a potential successor should the Old Trafford boardroom had taken action.
However, amid suggestions Conte might not be the right profile for United, fellow Premier League club Tottenham swooped in for former Chelsea and Inter Milan coach in an impressive coup.
Solskjaer has eased some pressure on his position since that drubbing against Liverpool – coasting to a 3-0 victory over Tottenham before Cristiano Ronaldo saved the day, twice, in their 2-2 Champions League draw against Atalanta.
In his latest Eurosport column, ex-United defender Paul Parker said: “Manchester United have missed a trick by not appointing Antonio Conte. They would have taken him if they were serious about making a change.
“When someone like Conte is available, a club with aspirations can’t miss out. The Italian has the best CV out there at the moment, and if you look at what he’s achieved at every club he’s managed then you can see that Spurs have found a winner.”
He added: “Yes, Conte comes with baggage and you know some Tottenham players will be knocking on Daniel Levy’s door saying they are not happy with how he treats them, but Spurs fans won’t mind because they don’t want those players.
“Conte is going to clear up that dressing room and get rid of players who don’t want to work hard.
“There’s not going to be a change at Manchester United now, that ship has sailed.
“Unless there’s another complete collapse I can’t see it happening.
“Now Conte has gone to Spurs, you look what’s out there in terms of managers and you could easily end up going down another wrong path.
“It would look like desperation.”