Former Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has claimed that Aston Villa manager Unai Emery would be compelled to leave his post if the Old Trafford club came calling. However, a closer examination of the Spaniard's situation at Villa Park reveals Scholes's assumption is fundamentally flawed.
The Foundation of Emery's Aston Villa Success
Unai Emery operates from a position of immense strength and control at Aston Villa, a scenario starkly different from the turbulent environment that contributed to Ruben Amorim's struggles at Manchester United. Villa's owner, Nassef Sawiris, provided Emery with a blank canvas upon his arrival, empowering him to construct his own football department from the ground up.
This autonomy is exemplified by the appointments of Damian Vidagany as director of football operations and the renowned Monchi as president of football operations, who both followed Emery to the club. When Monchi opted to return to Spain after the summer 2025 transfer window, it was Emery himself who selected Roberto Olabe as his successor. This chain of command makes it abundantly clear that the club's sporting vision is orchestrated by the manager.
Stability, Focus, and Freedom from Relentless Scrutiny
Supported by this robust infrastructure, Emery can dedicate his energy entirely to on-pitch matters: training, preparation, and matchdays. Crucially, unlike his previous experience at Arsenal, he is not subjected to the same intense, unyielding media spotlight. Win or lose, Aston Villa typically operate outside the relentless headline cycle that engulfs the Premier League's traditional 'big six'.
This breathing space was vital earlier in the 2025/26 season when Villa encountered a difficult period, struggling to create and convert chances. At a club like Manchester United, such a dip would dominate back pages and fuel crisis narratives. At Villa, Emery was granted the time and space to adjust his tactics without external hysteria, ultimately engineering a spectacular turnaround. Since a 1-1 draw at Sunderland in September 2025, Villa have won 18 of their last 21 matches.
A Long-Term Project, Not a Stepping Stone
The bond between club and manager extends beyond mere results. Owner Nassef Sawiris has further cemented their relationship by partnering Aston Villa with Real Unión, the club from Emery's hometown. Furthermore, Emery signed a five-year contract in May 2024, tying him to Villa Park until at least 2029. The club's hierarchy views him as a long-term architect, potentially overseeing a tenure of significant duration.
The notion that Emery would willingly trade this level of authority, stability, and project ownership for the volatile hot-seat at Old Trafford appears rushed and misguided. The debate arose during a discussion on *Football’s Greatest*, where Scholes backed both Thomas Tuchel and Emery for the United role.
"I think a lot of them [fans] would be going towards Emery, with what he has done at Villa," Scholes stated. Former United teammate Nicky Butt immediately interjected, "I don’t think Emery would come." Scholes retorted, "United, though. You’ve got to leave Villa for Man United, Nick." The evidence currently suggests Butt's scepticism is far more aligned with reality.
