Manchester United told to target Roberto Mancini over Erik ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino

Former Premier League footballer Darren Bent has talked up Roberto Mancini's credentials to become the next Manchester United manager.

The Euro 2020-winner is currently the Italy head coach but the Azzurri saw their World Cup hopes come crashing down when North Macedonia stunned Jorginho and company with a stoppage-time winner in the playoff semi-final. It means Italy miss out on consecutive World Cups for the first time in their history.

Multiple reports have now suggested that their manager — previously triumphant in the Premier League with Manchester City — will step down from his role with the national team. And despite Erik ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino leading the running for the soon-to-be-vacant managerial position at Old Trafford, Mancini has been touted as a possible candidate by Bent.

READ MORE: The Man United coach who helped Cristiano Ronaldo become the best player in the world.

"He has proved he can do it in this country and I think it is vital that he has that Premier League experience," he told talkSPORT. "He has gone on to win a massive trophy with Italy in the Euros, so you can’t question his pedigree in terms of winning things.

"If you’re looking for a winner, I suppose the counterargument is that people will say Jose [Mourinho] was a winner and it ended quite badly. He did win trophies for United, but people would say he left the club in a worst state.

"It would be a big deal, him obviously winning Manchester City their first Premier League title, to then go to United. But we have seen managers do this before."

Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.