Spanish manager Luis Enrique has been linked with the Manchester United job on more than one occasion

Until Manchester United make an official decision on their new permanent manager, some familiar names are likely to be in the mix. Luis Enrique was linked with an Old Trafford move in 2022, the same year in which United ended up appointing Erik ten Hag, while he has been in the headlines again of late to give the current squad food for thought. He is also the fourth favourite with the bookies.

The Spaniard has thrived at Paris Saint-Germain, leading the club to their first ever Champions League triumph last season. His current contract at the Parc des Princes is believed to run until 2027, though the club’s higher-ups are keen on keeping him around for longer.

It may be the case that Michael Carrick’s results as interim manager are enough to convince United chiefs to keep him on board on a permanent basis. However, if the club decides to look elsewhere, Luis Enrique’s past history could spell bad news for some players in the squad.

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In April 2023, shortly before the PSG boss took his current role, The Coaches’ Voice delved into Luis Enrique’s preferred formations and tactics. However, as we have seen in the last two-and-a-half years, he has shown a flexibility based on the players at his disposal.

The 55-year-old has generally favoured a 4-3-3 set-up for club and international sides, though he has also shown a willingness to operate with a back three when the situation calls for it. Here’s what that might mean for United’s current crop.

4-3-3 (Spain style)

At Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup with Spain, 4-3-3 was the favoured approach from Luis Enrique. However, the make-up of those sides wasn’t always the same. In Qatar, possession-focused Dani Olmo was used in a wide role for the memorable 7-0 victory over Costa Rica – a contrast to more direct players like Pablo Sarabia and Mikel Oyarzabal at the previous major tournament.

A return to the 2022 approach could see Bruno Fernandes move from midfield into a more attacking role off the left. Matheus Cunha’s skill-set also suits the system, though, and he might not want too much overhaul after Casemiro’s exit.

Based on the current players on United’s books, this approach might need a few new faces. Luis Enrique preferred some control at the back with Spain, using Rodri as a central defender during the 2022 World Cup. Such an approach appears to lend itself well to Lisandro Martinez, who is comfortable enough on the ball to have slotted in as a defensive midfielder in the past, while it could offer a route back in for Noussair Mazraoui ahead of Diogo Dalot at full-back, though the likes of Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt might worry about their minutes in the middle.

While we’ve included Manuel Ugarte in this set-up, it’s worth noting the Uruguayan didn’t gel with the manager at Paris Saint-Germain. He may end up being given another chance, but it’s perhaps more likely that we see a new addition in the middle of the park.

Potential XI: Lammens; Mazraoui, Yoro, Martinez, Shaw; Ugarte, Mainoo, Fernandes; Mbeumo, Sesko, Cunha

4-3-3 (PSG style)

The 4-3-3 he uses with PSG has at times made use of a false nine system, with Ousmane Dembele thriving in the role during last season’s run to Champions League glory. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue occupied the wide roles in the final, leaving Inter Milan with no hope against the attacking threat.

One player whose role might be called into question is Benjamin Sesko, who fits the Alvaro Morata role used by Luis Enrique for Spain but whose closest analog in PSG’s squad – Goncalo Ramos – has largely been used as a substitute.

Luke Shaw is another who might struggle for regular minutes. Luis Enrique likes his full-backs to be high-energy players who get up and down the field at will – think back to those occasions when Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi have combined – so a 30-year-old with a patchy fitness record might not be someone he feels he could rely on.

This could well be a set-up that lends itself to Martinez stepping into midfield to offer some balance as the full-backs fly forward. Whet United might give for the 2022/23 version of Casemiro in this squad.

Potential XI: Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Dorgu; Martinez, Mainoo, Fernandes; Mbeumo, Cunha, Amad

3-4-2-1

United’s players have plenty of experience with a back three thanks to Ruben Amorim, even if it wasn’t always successful. The Portuguese coach prioritised a new wing-back after taking charge in 2024, with Patrick Dorgu brought in, and the Dane might well be Luis Enrique’s preference to occupy the left wing-back role in which Nuno Mendes thrived at times in Ligue 1.

The manager has varied his attacking approach on those occasions he has gone three-at-the-back. Two genuinely attacking supporting forwards has been the order of the day, though, suggesting a front three of Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko isn’t out of the question.

This approach was often taken against weaker opponents, allowing for a combination between Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes which Amorim didn’t consider workable in the Premier League. Based on Luis Enrique’s previous, it may be that this set-up is used a little less frequently (if at all).

Potential XI: Lammens; Yoro, Maguire, Martinez; Amad, Mainoo, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Cunha; Sesko

Who is at risk?

As we can see, there’s a fair amount of variability in the approaches Luis Enrique has taken in the past. The Premier League is different enough from both Ligue 1 and international football that – if installed – the manager would probably prefer to experiment during pre-season to get a feel for what works best.

Certain roles will no doubt be filled by new additions but there are players who might already look for an escape route if the Spaniard comes in. Ugarte’s reasons have already been documented, while De Ligt, Sesko, Shaw and Dalot could all sense their opportunities becoming limited depending on the new manager’s preferences – though one would imagine Sesko is the most likely of that group to get a proper chance to make his case after clear signs of improvement over the course of this season.

Cooper Flagg stands alone in NBA history after Friday.

The Dallas Mavericks rookie became the youngest player in NBA history to record a 50-point game at 19 years and 103 days old, posting 51 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in a 138-127 loss to the Orlando Magic.

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Flagg is also the ninth rookie in NBA history to post a 50-point game, joining Wilt Chamberlain, Rick Barry, Earl Monroe, Brandon Jennings, Elgin Baylor, Elvin Hayes, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Allen Iverson. None of those players were teenagers when they reached the half-century mark.

Flagg’s previous career high was 49 points, which was also the previous high in NBA history for a teenager. He has time to break the record again, as he doesn’t turn 20 until Dec. 21.

This article will be updated with more information.

Rodri spoke during the international break about his interest in perhaps playing for Real Madrid one day, sparking debate over his Manchester City future.

Rodri fanned the flames of a potential Manchester City transfer exit during the international break when he gave an interview in Spain about being open to the prospect of one day playing for Real Madrid.

The midfielder has 18 months to run on his current City deal and there remains a degree of uncertainty as to whether he will extend his stay at the Etihad. Pep Guardiola was asked about the situation in his press conference on Friday and reiterated the club stance is that they want the 29-year-old to commit his future to the Blues.

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The decision will come down to Rodri himself, with City never a club to stand in the way of a player who wants to leave. And it all adds up to an unknown situation that will need to be resolved soon.

So what exactly does it all mean for City and Rodri? Our City experts Simon Bajkowski and Alex James dissected the topic on the latest Talking City podcast.

“I don’t think Rodri’s comments change anything in that Real Madrid will still want him as they have wanted him for ages,” said Bajkowski. “And Rodri will be fully aware of that and will never in an interview shut the door on a return to Spain, ahead of a World Cup in the summer as well when he is going to be representing Spain.

“At the same time, he is in an uncertain position because nobody is sure whether he is going to renew at City or not.

“I think it (a scenario where he is sold in the summer) exists. They have to be open to it. Obviously Rodri doesn’t owe them anything but I think the club feel that they gave him such support first and foremost for the Ballon d’Or. They treated him like an absolute king at a time when the biggest club in the world (Real Madrid) was doing everything to denigrate it and say it wasn’t a proper Ballon d’Or. City treated Rodri royally. And also through his injury, they have helped and supported him. I feel like this season they have listened to Rodri (on his fitness).

“If he wants to go this summer he will go but if he does, the club would like to think they would get a fee that reflects the player that he is and will be next season and beyond, but also the support that they have given him over the last few years.”

The decision could also hinge on what happens with the future of Guardiola, who has a deal until the summer of 2027 but has yet to fully commit to continuing past this season, and Bernardo Silva who is set to depart when his contract expires in June.

“Losing Bernardo Silva and Rodri, and I appreciate they are not what they were and might not be again, but that would be a vacuum of talent, experience, know-how, experience and leadership,” said City writer James. “Loads of things that are very difficult to replace.

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“They would have to go and sign somebody, and they may well go and sign Elliot Anderson and they might sign someone else instead or as well, but it would be a big gamble to lose Rodri and Bernardo in the same summer.

“Rodri has started to look back to somewhere near his best. He looks back in a rhythm, is dictating play a bit more. And a lot of this will have to do with Pep, that has to be factored in and there might be an answer on that yet.”

Mikel Arteta insisted he is ready to throw Kepa Arrizabalaga back into the firing line for Arsenal’s FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton.

Kepa gifted Manchester City their opening goal in Arsenal’s 2-0 Carabao Cup final defeat a fortnight ago.

The 31-year-old has not played at all in the Premier League this season, with appearances only in the Carabao and FA Cups and a Champions League dead rubber against Kairat.

But despite Kepa’s howler against City, Arteta looks set to stick with the former Chelsea man for the Gunners’ visit to St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday night.

Kepa has played every minute of Arsenal’s FA Cup campaign so far.

“He is ready to play,” said Arteta. “I’m never going to judge a player or make a decision because he has made an error. Attitude, behaviour, yes, 100 per cent, but an error is part of football, and anybody can do it.

“I don’t know if he needed it (an arm around the shoulder), but he has had it. Just in case. From all of them. From his team-mates first, then myself, all the staff, and hopefully all our supporters.

“I don’t think he needed it because he’s got so much experience, and he’s been through all kinds of different scenarios in his career, so he’s more than ready to play.”

Arsenal’s quadruple dreams were dashed by the disappointing 2-0 loss to Pep Guardiola’s side.

However, the Gunners are still nine points clear in the Premier League title race and they will face Sky Bet Championship side Southampton bidding to secure a place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

Arteta’s outfit also travel to Sporting Lisbon for the first leg of their Champions League last-eight match next week.

The defeat at Wembley raised serious questions about the club’s big-game mentality and left Arteta still awaiting his first trophy in nearly six years.

Reflecting on the sobering defeat, the Spaniard said: “It’s like a ball of poison that you have in your tummy. But take that out as quick as possible, and how can I use that to make myself better, to make the team better?

“It’s not going to go in the next 30 years because when you have the opportunity to win a final in Wembley, you have to get it done.

“So that has to stay there. And that’s part of who you’re going to be in the next few weeks, in the next few months, in the next few years. Learn from that and make sure that that fire is still in Wembley, remembering what happened.

“That has been the mindset and the only work that we have done in the last few days, to use that as fuel, as tools, to be able to get the final push that we want and achieve what we want. And immediately, I could sense that (from the players).

“It will make us better and now we have to use it for the most important and beautiful part of the season.”

Gujarat Titans (GT) wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler has backed young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to dominate the sport for the next decade, stating that “the world would be at his feet.” In a freewheeling chat with Sooryavanshi and Rajasthan Royals (RR) team manager Romy Bhinder, Buttler expressed his awe for the 15-year-old prodigy. Buttler also recalled Sooryavanshi’s record-breaking 175 off 80 balls in the U19 World Cup final, noting that the youngster “broke English hearts” with his spectacular knock in Harare.

“I said don’t get him too excited. I said the best player I’ve ever seen. Imagine when he is 21 or 25, world at his feet. So good to watch. You broke English hearts in the U19 World Cup. It’s awesome,” said Buttler in a video shared by RR.

Sooryavanshi was seen smiling as Buttler praised him, and the two shared a warm handshake.

Two generations of the Royals pic.twitter.com/d8y76RbGaT

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 3, 2026

The former RR player urged Sooryavanshi to keep up the hard work.

“Playing so well, great to watch, keep it up. That freedom is so good to watch,” he added.

During the chat, RR manager revealed that Sooryavanshi once expressed his wish to win trophies like Buttler.

Sooryavanshi, the youngest centurion in IPL history, started the new season with a 17-ball 52 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a winning cause.

Buttler, on the other hand, made a scratchy 33-ball 38 during the campaign opener against Punjab Kings.

He will be eyeing a return to his dominant best against RR, his former franchise.

Last season, Buttler made 538 runs in 13 innings in his debut with GT after a long run with RR from 2018-24. These runs came at an average of 59.77 and a strike rate of over 163, with five fifties. In 122 IPL matches and 120 innings, he has made 4,158 runs at an average of 39.98 and a strike rate of almost 149, with seven tons and 24 fifties and a best score of 124.

(With ANI Inputs)