‘He’s the one for me’ – Ben Foster names perfect replacement for Ruben Amorim at Man Utd

Ben Foster says Andoni Iraola has proven he could be the perfect candidate to come in and replace Ruben Amorim as Manchester United head coach.

There was a renewed sense of optimism amongst United’s fanbase after the club spent in the region of £170million on new recruits, with Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Senne Lammens and Diego Leon all arriving through the doors this summer.

But any hope of a clean break has faded rapidly, with the Red Devils’ malaise dragging on from the end of last season after just two wins in the side’s opening seven games.

It leaves Amorim’s position in some doubt ahead of United’s return to Premier League action against high-flying Sunderland – and the Portuguese knows he will have to deliver a convincing performance to keep his critics at bay.

However, the outside noise has become almost deafening throughout United’s near-disastrous start and a host of high-profile names have been linked with the job, from bookmakers’ favourite Oliver Glasner to ex-England boss Gareth Southgate.

United have also been credited with an interest in Iraola, whose Bournemouth team sit sixth in the Premier League after just one defeat in six matches.

Iraola’s current contract at the Vitality Stadium is due to expire in 2026 and discussions have been ongoing for some time over a possible extension for the Spaniard.

But ex-United goalkeeper Foster is confident Iraola has the credentials to be a success at Old Trafford, even though it would likely cost ‘an awful lot of money’ to prise the 43-year-old away from Bournemouth.

‘Iraola is the one for me. To lose half your squad, half your starting line-up, and then still be just as impressive, for me, that means you’re a proper coach,’ he said on the Ben Foster – The Cycling GK podcast.

‘But if they’re trying to get Iraola or Glasner then it’s going to cost an awful lot of money.

‘I know Glasner’s contract is up in the summer, but he’s going to want £250,000-a-week himself as a wage and they’re [Palace] going to want compensation to some point, aren’t they?’

According to Foster, United could take a ‘different approach’ by exploring a move for Southgate, who has been out of a job since stepping down with the Three Lions after Euro 2024.

‘I just think with Gareth Southgate, it’s so different to what they’ve ever done and what they’re doing isn’t working,’ he added.

‘You look at the past four or five managers since Sir Alex Ferguson went, they’re just not working are they? It’s as simple as that.

‘I just think with how hard it is to play for Manchester United, with the pressure involved and pulling that shirt on, it just doesn’t seem to work so I think sometimes you might need a bit of a different approach.’

Foster was aghast at United’s defensive display against Brentford last weekend, highlighting Matthijs de Ligt’s ‘absolutely criminal’ decision-making in the 3-1 defeat.

‘United need to sort out their defensive problems first and foremost,’ he continued.

‘They’ve got some unreal attacking talent, they’ve got proper players, but, defensively, you look across that backline, even from Manuel Ugarte backwards really, I just don’t think they’re up to it.

‘De Ligt doesn’t look like he’s got the legs or the Premier League nous about him.

‘Some of the rash decision De Ligt made on Saturday [against Brentford]… he’s stepping in, some of his step-ins are just absolutely criminal.

‘I was watching it thinking, “You can’t go in there, mate, relax!”, and he gets too excited as well and then he’s getting right under stuff and I’m thinking: “Oh my god!”‘