Former United defender on shortlist to replace Van Gaal

Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville are among the Manchester United legends that have been mooted as possible replacements for Louis van Gaal, but former United defender Laurent Blanc has now emerged as a possible candidate to succeed the Dutchman, claims French website Le10 Sport.

Blanc, 50, spent the final two years of his professional playing career at Old Trafford before making the steps into management.

The Paris Saint-Germain manager only has six months left to run on his current deal with the Ligue 1 champions, although it has been suggested he will be given a contract extension before the end of the season.

However, according to reports in France, United have sounded out the Frenchman regarding a return to Old Trafford.

Van Gaal still has 18 months left to run on his current deal but there is now immense pressure on his shoulders with many wondering whether he will still be in the United dug out beyond the end of this season.

Since taking over at PSG in 2013, Blanc has guided the club to back-to-back league championships and has managed a formidable win ratio of 70.8% in Ligue 1, in which he has only taste defeat six times from his 96 league matches. Moreover, they are the only team still unbeaten in domestic competition across Europe’s top five leagues (20 matches unbeaten).

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