Russell Martin made Man Utd manager 'shortlist' before Rangers disaster torpedoed Old Trafford chances

Martin was considered a long-term managerial prospect by United in 2024 but his subsequent failures at Southampton, Rangers and Leicester have ended any Old Trafford hopes.

Russell Martin was on Manchester United's succession-planning shortlist in 2024 when director of football Jason Wilcox was preparing contingencies ahead of the FA Cup Final against Manchester City. Wilcox, who had worked with Martin at Southampton, rated him highly and saw potential for him to manage Old Trafford in the future, though not as an immediate replacement for Erik ten Hag.

That prospect has evaporated following Martin's troubled managerial record since. He was sacked by Southampton in December 2024 after winning just one of 16 games, then lasted only four months at Rangers before being dismissed following a 1-1 draw at Falkirk. He is now at Leicester City, where he has struggled in the Championship after their relegation, sitting tenth with three wins from eight matches.

Wilcox is unlikely to revisit Martin as a candidate should Michael Carrick depart Manchester United.