Roberto De Zerbi breaks silence on Man United job links - with club insiders keen on the Marseille boss

Roberto De Zerbi has attempted to play down links the Manchester United job, but the Marseille boss has admitted he will need to hold talks over his future with the French club.

Daily Mail Sport revealed last week that De Zerbi has many admirers at Man United , having made a good impression during his two seasons in charge of Brighton .

The Italian was interviewed by Ineos in May 2024, and considered a leading contender to replace Erik ten Hag .

De Zerbi had ultimately joined Marseille by the time the United boss was sacked that October, with the Red Devils eventually appointed Ruben Amorim as head coach.

Amorim was sacked earlier this month after speaking out against Man United's hierarchy, with Michael Carrick placed in charge until the end of the season.

With the Red Devils set to assess their options ahead of a permanent appointment at the end of the season, De Zerbi is seen as a likely candidate.

Roberto De Zerbi insisted his immediate focus remains on Marseille amid links to Man United

De Zerbi has admirers at Old Trafford following his two seasons in charge of Brighton

De Zerbi, who is believed to be interested in a return to the Premier League, insisted his focus remained on Marseille and their Champions League tie against Liverpool on Wedneday.

The Italian, however, acknowledged his future at Marseille will have to be discussed soon.

'My focus is totally on Marseille. I wanted to come here,' De Zerbi said.

'The day before a very important, very crucial game, I have no space in my head to think about other things.

'I feel very well in this city with these players, with this club.

'As for the future, we have got to speak in the next month, in the next year, I don't know.'

De Zerbi has just 18 months left to run on his Marseille contract, after signing a three-year deal until 2027 when he was appointed in June 2024.

The 47-year-old guided the French club to a runners-up spot behind Paris Saint-Germain last season.

Marseille are currently third behind Lens and PSG in Ligue 1, while they are well placed to qualify for the play-offs in the Champions League.

Reports emerged in 2024 that De Zerbi had told his Marseille players that he rejected an offer from Man United to join the Ligue 1 club.

According to L'Equipe, De Zerbi used a projector to show his Marseille players a copy of the contract he had been offered by the Old Trafford outfit.

De Zerbi allegedly told his players: 'This is where I could have been, but I put my passion before money. I came to Marseille for the passion.'