Hope the hoo-ha has subsided a bit by now.
If reports are to be believed, Conte wants to handle transfers himself. He fell out with Inter management over transfers and left the club. He was fired from Chelsea two years into a 3-year deal after getting fractious with top brass. His prior job with the Italian national team also lasted only two years. If pattern holds, Utd needs to look for a long-term successor even if they appoint Conte. He cannot be viewed as anything other than a 2-year interim manager.
Even if all that is accepted for a short-term fix, Conte's preferred style is 3-5-2.
3 x centre backs
2 x wing backs
2 x defensive mids
1 x attacking/box-to-box mid
2 x centre forwards
Likely first 11 with current squad:
De Gea
Lindelof, Varane, Maguire
Wan-Bissaka, Matic, Fernandes, McTominay, Shaw
Ronaldo, Cavani
Bailly might get some game time in rotation with the back three, as will Pogba with Fernandes, Fred and Van De Beek with Matic/McTominay and Greenwood/Martial with Ronaldo and Cavani. But pure wingers like Rashford and Sancho will struggle for game time, unless they are willing to take the route of Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia.
Conte's Inter has also registered less presses than Solskajer's Utd. Meaning a Conte Utd cannot be expected to pressure the opposition when out of possession. Conte chooses pragmatic (read 'boring') tactics over fast attacking football.
I don't think the prospects of the formation and sidelining of Rashford and Sancho, sit well with the Utd board. The past three years of rebuilding work will go down the drain if they attempt to accommodate Conte. Unless Conte has plans to redefine himself and come up with something new.
Conte, in summary, is not a no-brainer appointment. Obstacles abound to overcome.
If Utd do decide to replace Solskjaer, they have to look for the best possible manager. Not just the best jobless manager.
And now, Pochettino's name has surfaced again.... sigh. Just don't feel he is much of an upgrade to Solskjaer. Push comes to shove, I'd rather Conte on a 2-year deal, with Hansi Flick taking over after.
