Real Madrid dressing room reaction to Zinedine Zidane decision explains Man Utd's stance

In the event Erik ten Hag continues to fail inspiring confidence at Manchester United, the legendary Zinedine Zidane could be a welcome tonic. After all, the Real Madrid icon has few peers when it comes to stirring emotion among his players.

United are currently floundering and in the midst of their worst start to a Premier League season, as well as failing to win either of their opening Europa League fixtures. The atmosphere at Old Trafford has suffered on the back of a disheartening five-match stretch without a victory, with Ten Hag seemingly unable to get a tune out of his squad.

On the opposite side of the managerial spectrum stands the figure of Zidane, 52, whose 2018 exit from Real reportedly left a profound void among his players. Having secured his third Champions League trophy in a row, Zidane’s decision to leave (for the first time) what many consider the pinnacle of club coaching shocked his charges at the time.

Spanish daily Marca (via The Mirror) called the mood in Real’s locker room “a bomb,” highlighting the deep impact of Zidane’s departure on those who thrived under his leadership. On the other hand, there’s a sense some at United might not be too displeased if Ten Hag’s tenure were cut short all of a sudden.

This stark contrast in team morale underscores just how much United have strayed from their former glories. Sir Alex Ferguson once fostered a mix of reverence and affection from his players, similar to Zidane, yet Ten Hag appears to be the latest in a succession of managers unable to coax the right reaction from his squad.

Trent Alexander-Arnold hinted at a similar relationship with Jurgen Klopp’s when he unexpectedly announced he’d be leaving Liverpool. Expressing the impact Klopp had on him and his Liverpool team-mates, Alexander-Arnold said: “I was as shocked as anyone else, really, if not more.

“It was a huge surprise to all of us. One that obviously is not nice but it’s of course a personal decision that he’s taking. You have to respect it.”

The England full-back went on to say he’d “loved absolutely every minute” of his time under Klopp’s command. Compare that bond with the current cohesion (or lack thereof) at Old Trafford, and it’s hard to imagine a single United player sharing similar sentiments regarding Ten Hag.

It wasn’t even a year after his first departure that Zidane made a gallant return to Real, securing another La Liga title in 2020 before stepping down once again the subsequent year. Now, having spent over three years away out of club management, whispers about a possible move to Old Trafford persist.

Celebrated as one of football’s greatest ever players, the 1998 Ballon d’Or winner now boasts an illustrious managerial career to match. As speculation mounts over a potential parting between United and Ten Hag, the thought of bringing in a proven legend with a track record of motivational prowess certainly appears an inviting prospect for the Red Devils.