Blow for Manchester United as Emery on the verge of signing new contract with Aston Villa

Blow for Manchester United as Emery on the verge of signing new contract with Aston Villa Manchester United’s hopes of signing Unai Emery as their new head coach have received a big blow. The Telegraph report Emery is on the verge of penning a new contract with Aston Villa. The Spaniard’s existing terms are due to expire in 2029. The Midlands club are keen to hand him a fresh deal to retain his services into the next decade and beyond. Emery has been doing well at Villa this season despite a difficult summer transfer window in which they sold Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa, Ollie Watkins and Youri Tielemans. After a poor start to the campaign, the Lions have collected 11 points from their previous five Premier League fixtures. Man United have been linked with Emery, with Michael Carrick under major threat of losing his job just months after signing a two-year contract. The Red Devils ended their nine-game winless run on Tuesday when they defeated Roma in the Champions League following a sensational second-half comeback. Another victory against Villa on Sunday could keep Carrick beyond the international break, but also a poor result could spell the end of his reign. Emery appointment unlikely Emery would be a dream appointment for United, but landing his services appears highly unlikely. The 55-year-old has transformed Villa since taking over in 2022, and the club are determined to keep him at Villa Park. The Lions were battling relegation when he first arrived, but he quickly improved results and led them to a seventh-place league finish. Villa have twice qualified for the Champions League under Emery, who also guided them to their first major trophy since 1996 with the Europa League triumph earlier this year. Eddie Howe has also been touted as a potential option for Man United if Carrick is sacked. The 48-year-old knows the Premier League well, having managed Bournemouth and Newcastle United. Howe is available for hire, but United would still have to pay £3 million compensation to Newcastle for his services. Julian Nagelsmann, Fabian Hurzeler, Antonio Conte and Cesc Fabregas are other names on the list of targets for the Red Devils.