How are Manchester United fans supposed to feel about Brendan Rodgers?

Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has become the latest high-profile manager to be linked with becoming Manchester United‘s new manager if they decide to part with the services with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Solskjaer has come under increasing pressure over recent months. That has been fuelled mainly by a series of heavy defeats.

United were defeated 4-2 by Rodgers’ Foxes in October before Liverpool beat them 5-0 at Old Trafford a week later.

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Then it was Manchester City‘s turn. Pep Guardiola‘s side won 2-0 at their rivals’ home, without ever looking like relinquishing control.

The Red Devils have also been less than convincing in the Champions League. They lost their opening game at Swiss side Young Boys before needing late goals from Cristiano Ronaldo to defeat Villarreal and Atalanta.

With Solskjaer’s position under scrutiny from United fans, rumours have circulated over who could replace him if he departs the club.

The name of Rodgers is undoubtedly an interesting proposition. But given his Liverpool links, what should Man United fans think about Brendan Rodgers?

Let’s take a look.

What are the Brendan Rodgers to Man United links?

A report by the Daily Star yesterday claimed that Manchester United were “increasingly confident” of appointing Brendan Rodgers.

They also claim that Rodgers has a release clause in his Leicester contract for Champions League clubs.

The latest odds (via Oddschecker) have the Leicester boss as the odds-on favourite with some bookmakers to become the next United boss.

Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers

Rodgers Liverpool
Image Credit: Getty

Brendan Rodgers managed Liverpool between 2012 and 2015. The Reds and United are famously fierce rivals.

Rodgers’ side did the double over the Red Devils in the 2013/14 season.

United fans will undoubtedly have differing views on whether Rodgers should take over based on those facts. But it is worth remembering that Liverpool sacked the 48-year-old in October 2015. Does he owe any loyalty to the club that dispensed of his services, regardless of any rivalry?

What is Rodgers’ record at Leicester?

Brendan Rodgers’ Premier League record has undoubtedly made for good reading since he was appointed Leicester boss.

In his first season, he took them to a ninth-place finish. The Foxes were in 12th when Rodgers was appointed in February.

Since then, he has guided Leicester to two consecutive fifth-place finishes, losing out on Champions League qualification on the final day of the season in both campaigns.

One concern for United fans would be Rodgers’ lack of success in Europe.

Last season, Leicester were knocked out of the Europa League in the round of 32 stage by Slavia Prague.

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This season, they currently sit third in their group, and may need two wins from their final two games to progress to the last 32.

In his only season of Champions League football with Liverpool, the Reds were knocked out in the group stage. They then lost on aggregate to Besiktas in the last 32 of the Europa League.

Would Rodgers be an upgrade on Solskjaer?

Rodgers’ Leicester side are perhaps one of the best teams to watch in English football.

It is hard to find a player that hasn’t improved under the Northern Irishman’s coaching through their squad list. Even Jamie Vardy, who had just turned 32 when Rodgers was appointed, has continued to improve.

Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans is one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the Premier League. Jonny Evans has gone from strength to strength at the heart of the backline. They are just three examples.

Solskjaer, too, has improved a number of Manchester United players. Luke Shaw won the club’s Players’ Player of the Year award last season. Bruno Fernandes has elevated himself to one of the best playmakers in world football.

But with United struggling this season, would fresh ideas from a different coach be the answer to their problems?

Featured Image Credit: Getty