What Real Madrid dressing room reaction to Zinedine Zidane decision tells Man Utd chiefs

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag remains under the spotlight at Old Trafford and the reaction to Zinedine Zidane's departure from Real Madrid could hint he's the right man to take over

If Erik ten Hag is struggling to stir belief among his Manchester United squad, that's one particular area in which Zinedine Zidane would be a major upgrade.

The Red Devils are in the doldrums at present and currently enduring their worst start to a Premier League season. Old Trafford has an apathetic feel to it in the midst of a five-game winless run, with Ten Hag seemingly struggling to raise the right emotion among his players.

Contrast that against the commander-like presence of Zidane, 52, whose 2018 departure from Real Madrid was said to have seriously affected his squad at the time. The French icon had just won his third consecutive Champions League title but stunned his troops when he announced he'd be stepping down from one of the most envied positions in football.

Marca described the reception in Real's dressing room as "a bomb," such was the impact it had on those who so loved playing under the Zidane regime. Meanwhile, one gets the feeling there are those at United who may be only too happy if Ten Hag were stopped from seeing out his third season in Manchester.

That juxtaposition between atmospheres sums up just how far the current United are from once again reaching the highs of old. Sir Alex Ferguson conjured a similar blend of respect and admiration from his charges, but Ten Hag is the latest in a line of lesser personalities to try and fail in replicating those relationships.

Trent Alexander-Arnold once spoke of Jurgen Klopp's shock departure as having a similar effect on him and the rest of the Liverpool squad. That blow was slightly lessened by the fact Klopp announced his intention months from his actual exit date, but the initial seismic feeling was much the same.

"I was as shocked as anyone else, really, if not more," said the Reds right-back this past February. "It was a huge surprise to all of us. One that obviously is not nice but it's of course a personal decision that he's taking. You have to respect it."

Alexander-Arnold went on to say he'd "loved absolutely every minute" playing under Klopp's care. From the outside, it would come as a surprise if a single player in the United dressing room could say the same about Ten Hag.

Image: Getty Images) Getty Images)

Zidane returned to Real 10 months later to rescue his beloved Blancos in a time of crisis, winning La Liga once more in 2020 before departing again the following year. He's now gone more than three years without coaching a club, but rumours of a takeover at Old Trafford have persisted all the while.

Having built a monumental legacy as one of the best players of all time, the 1998 Ballon d'Or-winner has carved out a similarly iconic reputation as a manager in his own right. And as speculation of a split with incumbent Ten Hag continues to swirl, United could do a lot worse than to hunt a free agent whose ability to inspire has rarely been in question.

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