With Manchester City announcing the appointment of Pep Guardiola as their manager for the 2016/17 Premier League season, local rivals Manchester United are unsure whether to stick or twist.
What United can be sure on, is that whatever decision Ed Woodward and the board make on their manager must be on the money.
United underachieving
With current United manager Louis van Gaal having to fend off speculation over his future on a regular basis, it seems that LvG may - at the most - only make it until the rest of the season. That is if United’s form does not rapidly decrease to a point where the Dutchman becomes no longer tenable at Old Trafford.
There is no question when considering the amount of money van Gaal has spent, some £250million pounds, they have underachieved particularly this season.
Somewhat negative football as well as several disappointing performances, notably at Old Trafford, has seen LVG criticised and linked with the sack.
With United’s form steadily improving under the Dutchman the expectation is that he will see out his reign until the end of the season. However United will know that they cannot undergo yet another disappointing season therefore cannot miss out on the self-proclaimed Special One.
Possible replacements?
If United did opt for a change then the question is who would they rather have instead of José Mourinho? The job role will require someone with experience of a top club, in order to prevent another David Moyes-like spell.
Carlo Ancelotti, someone United would be desperate for, has already been snapped up by Bayern Munich leaving the United board with very little options.
It would be nice to see Mauricio Pochettino given the oportunity to take over at United, after his incredible work with Southampton and Tottenham. However the possibilty of taking the Argentine from the grasp of Daniel Levy at Spurs, is very slim considering their rise up the league.
Ronald Koeman could also be thrown in to contention after his excellent spell with Southampton, although his lack of experience at an elite European club could put the United board off pursuing him.
The romantics will want Ryan Giggs to take the reigns after van Gaal, however the likelihood of the Welshman taking over and having the success expected by the club is very unlikely.
Mourinho - Guardiola - the potential reunion
Therefore Mourinho is the frontrunner to succeed van Gaal, a proven winner the 53-year-old is reportedly keen to take the Old Trafford hot seat and bring trophies back to the red side of Manchester.
However as well as bringing United back to being genuine title contenders, Mourinho will be charged with the difficult job of quietening the so-called noisy neighbours after they bring in the most sought-after manager in world football.
United cannot allow Mourinho to slip through their fingers. Forget his recent disappointment with Chelsea, the Portuguese manager is a proven winner at the highest level. Mourinho has the ego to deal with working at United, he understands the pressure, the expectation and he is hungry to succeed.
If the Red Devils were to stick with van Gaal into next season then Mourinho will undoubtedly be snapped up by another European giant, meaning the Old Trafford club will have to look elsewhere once the experienced Dutchman retires.
Going into next season and having Mourinho and Guardiola occupy the two Manchester clubs is something which will excite the Premier League, a renewal of an old rivalry that saw the two managers locked in intense battle in some excellent contests, when Mourinho was in charge of Real Madrid, and Guardiola in charge of Barcelona.
As it stands currently the two have clashed on 15 occasions, Guardiola with seven wins against the ex-Chelsea manager, who has only beaten his rival three times.
If the pair do face each other next season to continue the Guardiola/Mourinho duel, then it is certain that the Premier League is in for a treat as it is hoped more star players will follow the two star managers to their respective clubs.