Man Utd line up Carlo Ancelotti and Massimiliano Allegri to replace Louis van Gaal

Carlo Ancelotti has taken a sabbatical since being fired by Real Madrid in the summer

MANCHESTER UNITED appear to have started succession planning as their former captain Gary Neville took his first steps into management.

 

Reports in Italy suggested United have sounded out both Carlo Ancelotti and Massimiliano Allegri as potential replacements for Louis van Gaal, who is expected to retire when his Old Trafford contract expires in 18 months time.

Ancelotti has taken a sabbatical since being fired by Real Madrid in the summer but is keen to return to the Premier League after leading Chelsea to the double in 2009-10.

Former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson recently paid tribute to Ancelotti when he managed the Rest of the World XI in the UNICEF charity game at Old Trafford.

 

"He's one of my good friends and also one of the best managers the game has seen," said Ferguson. "He's a great guy and I think he'll be back in the game shortly. People with that ability don't stay out of it for too long."

Allegri guided Juventus to the Serie A title and Champions League final in his first season as boss, and Juve recently completed the home-and-away double over Manchester City in their group.

And he boxed clever over his future by saying: "I have a contract running until 2017. I'm happy here and I'm focused on Juventus' objectives."

United have suffered another injury blow to a defender with Marcos Rojo facing several weeks out after dislocating his shoulder in a training accident. Rojo has been playing left-back in place of Luke Shaw, who is out for the season with a double fracture of the leg. Phil Jones and Antonio Valenica are also sidelined.