Zinedine Zidane is seemingly gearing up for a return to the dugout, as he is in the frame for the France job. The 53-year-old has been out of work since leaving Real Madrid for a second time back in 2021 but continues to be linked with significant roles after his spells at the Bernabeu.

But amid reported links to Manchester United, French publication L'Equipe say that Zidane has held discreet discussions with the French Football Federation about replacing Didier Deschamps after the 2026 World Cup this summer.

It's been well documented that Zidane's dream gig would be to manage his country, albeit numerous reports saying he would be keen to do so have not materialised into anything substantial in recent years.

But with Deschamps set to step down after the World Cup this summer, it appears Zidane is primed to step in, with the report claiming he has already been working to assemble his coaching team for the role, with his former assistant at Real, David Bettoni, set to join him.

Meanwhile, Reds interim head coach Michael Carrick takes charge of his first game for United against Manchester City at Old Trafford this afternoon.

Carrick has been placed in charge for the remainder of the season after Ruben Amorim was sacked last week after 14 months in charge at Old Trafford.

Amorim was dismissed as poor performances were compounded by an argument with director of football Jason Wilcox that triggered a series of events which led to his exit.

Plenty of names, including Zidane, have been linked with the role, with Oliver Glasner, Carrick and Gareth Southgate leading the betting.

And a big development emerged on Friday afternoon when Glasner confirmed he will leave Crystal Palace at the end of the season.Pre-derby special - Manchester is Red

The highly-rated Austrian guided the Eagles to FA Cup success last season but had not agreed a contract extension at Selhurst Park. The 51-year-old arrived at Palace in 2024, having won the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt.

“My decision has already been taken months ago,” he told a press conference. “I had a meeting (with Steve Parish) in the October international break, we had dinner and a very long talk and I told him I would not sign a new contract for Crystal Palace.” (Manchester Evening News)

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