As we approach a new season thoughts naturally turn to those players for whom the future looks bright. Our squad is packed with potential stars from across the globe. However for others at the club; the season approaching could well be their last. The veterans on the field have seemingly defied the natural order of things by still playing a role in the first team. Off the pitch also supporters are facing the possibility that our record-breaking manager could be preparing to lay down the reigns. Ferguson has always said that health could determine the timing of his departure and rumours of an end of season scare have increased predictions that next summer will see a new man in charge. Even if Ferguson remains after next season, he can surely have no more than three years left in the position.

So who might it be?

Fortunes change so swiftly in football that the next big thing is consigned to the scrap heap in the space of a few months. Only last summer Chelsea fans were looking forward to the best young coach since Mourinho steering them to success only for their greatest triumph to be achieved only once he had been shown the door. This has clearly influenced the thinking of the current manager when elevating ‘experience’ as the key requirement of whomever takes on the challenge of taking our side into the post-Ferguson era. The bookmakers clearly agree; the three candidates could all legitimately claim to fulfill this brief.

So how strong are each of  their claims?

Jose Mourinho

Why would he be the right choice?

Instant success – not only has the league been won in every country he has managed but it has never taken him more than two years at each club.

Global status – the revenue success for the club has been aggressively promoting their global brand. Mourinho fits that brief. His appointment would be a statement of intent and counter claims that United are falling behind the Spanish giants.

Big club experience – club politics and fan expectations at Internazionale and Real Madrid meant success on the pitch came under intense pressure. Mourinho won’t be daunted by taking over from a living legend at one of the world’s biggest clubs.

Big names – Big clubs mean managing big names with big egos. Volatile figures like Drogba, Eto’o and Cristiano Ronaldo have delivered their best for him whilst remaining supremely loyal. The major players at Old Trafford would welcome him.

Familiarity – his short but trophy laden spell at Chelsea proved he could achieve in the Premier League. No fears exist over whether he could adapt to the challenges our ‘unique’ football culture.

Why would he be the wrong choice?

Cheque book manager - since performing heroics at Porto wherever Mourinho has gone he has been backed by money. If Ferguson is to be believed the Glazers have backed his every move in the transfer market yet our threadbare central midfield suggests otherwise. Would Mourinho be able to deliver without his pick of Europe’s finest?

Maverick Conduct –  Mourinho marked the opening contest of last season by poking/gouging the eye of Tito Vilanova and went on to steal headlines later in the season by engaging in some very public ‘house hunting’ in London whilst speculation over his future fizzled. Is the club of Sir Bobby Charlton ready to entrust its reputation into the hands of such a man?

Tried and trusted-  one of the incredible aspects to Internazionale’s European triumph was the age of many of the players. Jose’s ability to extract sacrifices from players at their peak is incredible but comes at a cost; young players rarely win his trust. The experience of the brilliant Nuri Sahin since signing for Real Madrid is a case in point. Manchester United’s famous commitment to youth would not be a priority were Mourinho to take over.

How much does he want it?

If reports are to be believed – badly. Mourinho is a canny operator in the media and very little appears in the Fleet Street press without it suiting his agenda. He has used links to Chelsea, City and even Spurs to strengthen his position at other clubs but his repeated public acclamation of the man he calls ‘the boss’ lends credence to the view that he wants the challenge of following Ferguson.

How would the fans react?

Mixed – the legions of Reds who crave big signings and glamour would lap up his arrival. However several other fans have expressed style concerns; over both his behaviour and the footballing approach of his teams. It’s fair to say that the free-scoring exploits of Real Madrid last season will assuage some concerns yet suspicions remain that the direct, industrial approach he favoured at Chelsea would be imposed at Old Trafford.

Why could it happen?

Ferguson would approve, three years would appear a logical length of time in Madrid, Mourinho wants to return to England.

Why would it not happen?

If United fall far behind rivals this season, if United cannot meet financial demands of his personal terms or transfer demands.

Pep Guardiola

Why would he be the right choice?

Proven success - it’s hard to believe Pep was a surprising choice to replace Rijkaard for those unfamiliar with his status within the club. Three league titles and two European cups in his first four years as top-level coach is a record unlikely ever to be matched.

Global status - he might not have the Hollywood appeal of Mourinho but the quiet Catalan is known throughout the world as the mastermind of the Barcelona phenomenon.

Big club experience - it is easy to forget what an incredible team Rijkaard created; winning the European Cup, yet he was removed when standards fell. Despite such high stakes – Guardiola surpassed those achievements. He is unlikely to be fazed by the prospect of succeeding a living legend.

Playing style – a common complaint from autumn last season onwards was out ‘functional’ playing style. Five across the midfield, one goal victories were far from entertaining. Guardiola’s Barcelona have created the template for success both in European club and International football. To some tika-taka will always equal tedium but to others the prospect of Manchester United winning with a fluid, pressing, technical style is an enticing one.

Commitment to youth - a fine tradition of Manchester United has been giving youth a chance and Guardiola is the embodiment of that ideal. Authorising sales of big names to clear the way for the emergence of Busquets and Pedro (among others) demonstrated that homegrown is his preference.

Why would he be the wrong choice?

Unproven abroad - his entire coaching experience has been in Spain as part of the Barcelona system. As a player he did experience Italy, Qatar and Mexico; though none of these are particularly useful for preparing him for English football. Perhaps tellingly when an opportunity arose to join Manchester United in 2005 he turned it down (presumably unconvinced he could dislodge Quinton Fortune).

Inflexibility –  watching Guardiola switch between 4-3-3, 3-4-3, 4-2-4, etc has been fascinating over recent seasons. However one unwavering factor is the style of play. When facing Chelsea’s intransigence, the commitment to tika-taka arguably hindered rather than helped. At Barcelona he enjoyed an embarrassment of technically gifted players schooled in the La Masia blueprint. Would imposing tika-taka work with our current playing squad or would we see a repeat of Villa-Boas time at Chelsea?

How much does he want it?

Your guess is as good as mine. In contrast to Mourinho, Guardiola has been coy about his future plans. Unsurprisingly given a misinterpreted press conference quote surrounding the length of his sabbatical sent news wires into a frenzy. That his next job will be away from Spain is accepted, but his choice of destination is a closely guarded secret.

How would the fans react?

Positively – as a man, and more importantly as a coach, Guardiola has a glowing reputation. In the new media age, many United fans will be more familiar with his Barcelona side than the majority of the Premier League. An intelligent, dignified man with a commitment to attacking, entertaining football – what’s not to like?

Why could it happen?

Guardiola is available, wouldn’t carry a ‘transfer fee’, represent the calibre of challenge he could be looking for.

Why would it not happen?

Abramovich will try anything and everything to get him, no clear indications that Old Trafford is where he wants to be.

David Moyes

Why would he be the right choice?

Commitment to youth - since joining Everton, Moyes has overseen a shift in emphasis at the club to youth development. We already benefit from the most famous product; but quality footballers continue to emerge from the ranks – Ross Barkley being the latest to catch the eye. Our traditional focus on youth would continue under Moyes.

Familiarity - having managed in the Premier League for a decade, only Ferguson and Wenger have a greater claim to knowing what is required to succeed in this league.

Achieves with a budget - financial constraints have been a constant throughout his time at Everton. Big money signing have been few and far between with clever business enabling the club to compete against clubs with far greater budgets. His eye for a bargain (Cahill, Jelavic, Pienaar) would be welcome given United’s inability to match the spending power of their major rivals.

Staying power- Mourinho follows the Bela Guttmann three year rule, whilst Guardiola bowed out after four ‘intense’ years. Moyes tenacity in remaining in the job for a decade – allegedly turning down more lucrative advances – shows he is a man committed to seeing a job through to its conclusion. If United are looking for stability beyond short cycle then Moyes is a logical choice.

Why would he be the wrong choice?

Where are the trophies? – 150 premier league wins, FA Cup finals and Champions League qualification in the context of Everton’s relative poverty is truly magnificent. However the lack of actual silverware is a blot on his CV. For years we have been assured that Ferguson’s ‘winning mentality’ is our ace in the pack when competing for honours. This would be lost under Moyes.

David who? – for all his abilities, Moyes remains a relative unknown internationally. Unlike his handsome, charismatic, world-famous rivals for the job – Moyes anonymity would be a concern for a club intent on promoting its global brand.

Fergie lite – a Liverpool baiting, Glaswegian football manager; sound familiar? Moyes similarity to the great man could work against him. It is essential that the next manager differentiates himself from his predecessor and establishes his own way. The Scotsman could find this more challenging than most. A hard task manager; would he be able to command a decorated dressing room including a star player whom he has recently sued for libel!

Too great a step – if rumours are to be believed, Moyes has turned down moves to Villa and Sunderland in the past. The logic in rejecting sideways moves is obvious but the absence of a bigger club on his CV will be of concern. Tellingly he was careful not to dampen speculation linking him to the Spurs job which many see as an ideal stepping stone to ultimately replacing Ferguson. It could well be that the jump from Goodison to Old Trafford is simply too big to risk.

How much does he want it?

Massively. It’s a poorly kept secret in football that Moyes craves the top job at Manchester United. To his credit, Moyes has never been shy of publicly criticising United on occasion (usually relating to referees) yet behind the scenes he has been keen to maintain good relations.

How would the fans react?

Underwhelmed- Moyes achievements are well-respected by United fans but his appointment would be widely viewed as evidence that we no longer have the pulling power of a top-tier club. The shaky relationship between supporters and club in the Glazer era might well take a turn for the worse if Moyes were to experience a slump. The ill-fated tenures of McGuinness and O’Farrell could be repeated with Ferguson watching on from the sidelines.

Why could it happen?

Cheap option, attractive option given reduced transfer budget, first choices might turn it down.

Why would it not happen?

Preferred options take the job, bigger name pursued.

Views of the CTS team:

Who would you like?

• James: Moyes
• Chris: Mourinho
• Tom: Guardiola
•  Jonas: Mourinho

Who will it be?

• James: Moyes
• Chris: Mourinho
• Tom: Mourinho
•  Jonas: Mourinho

Who would you like to see as the next manager of Manchester United?

Please leave your comment below.