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Cape Town - Premier League giants Manchester United are reportedly keeping a watchful eye on RB Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann.
The Red Devils have been under tumultuous pressure as they find themselves pitted in the bottom half of the table (12th), 15-points off log leaders and arch-rivals Liverpool.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s permanent reign at the club started off with a 4-0 thumping of Chelsea at Old Trafford but soon a fast decline followed with defeats against Crystal Palace, West Ham United and more recently against Newcastle United.
To make matters worse, injuries to Eric Bailly, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Anthony Martial, Luke Shaw and Paul Pogba are further denting United’s team progress as the club off-loaded several players in the off-season.
The Norwegian mentor had to reach deep into United’s academy with selecting Mason Greenwood (18), Angel Gomes (19), Brandon Williams (19), James Garner (18) and Tahith Chong (19) for matchday squads.
Solskjaer’s job is on the line with former Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri earmarked as his successor.
However, according to the Daily Mail, Nagelsmann is the one for the future and the United board deems the German the perfect fit for the Red Devils.
The 32-year-old started his career as a 28-year-old manager when he was entrusted with Hoffenheim job midway through the 2015/16 season.
He came to the rescue and saved the club from a humiliating Bundesliga relegation.
The following season he guided the German side to a Champions League spot with a fourth-place finish and went one better as they ended the 2017/18 campaign in third place.
Now, in his first season at RB Leipzig, the former centre-back has impressed with four wins, two draws and one defeat that sees the Rotten Bullen sit in fifth place.
Nicknamed 'Baby Mourinho', Nagelsmann is contracted to Leipzig until 2023 and seems in no hurry to jump ship.
The United board will continue keeping tabs on the manager as they seek a solution to getting the club back to the top of the Premier League.
- Compiled by Tashreeq Vardien
