Rock legend and Manchester City fan Noel Gallagher has delivered a characteristically brutal verdict on the prospect of Unai Emery leaving Aston Villa for Manchester United, likening such a move to abandoning Oasis at its peak.
Gallagher's scathing assessment of United's decline
The former Oasis frontman, known for his cutting remarks, was responding on air to talkSPORT host and United supporter Andy Goldstein. Goldstein had suggested that Emery would jump at the chance to manage at Old Trafford, arguing the Red Devils remain a bigger club than Villa.
Gallagher firmly dismissed this notion, stating: "I think you're living in the past there a little bit. It used to be that job and players going there used to be the pinnacle in English football, right? It isn't anymore. A player would be absolutely insane to go there."
He went on to claim that the only current attraction is financial, arguing "the whole club is in ruins" and is hampered by external noise from former players like pundits Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand.
"Like asking to leave Oasis and join the Libertines"
Gallagher, whose band Oasis headlined two sold-out nights at Wembley Stadium in 2025, then deployed his most memorable analogy to underline his point regarding Emery and Villa's project.
"If it was me," Gallagher said, "it'd be like asking to leave Oasis and go and join the Libertines."
This stark comparison paints a picture of swapping a dominant, chart-topping force for a troubled, albeit storied, entity – a clear reflection of his view on the current trajectories of Villa and United.
Context of Emery's renewed links to Old Trafford
The discussion was prompted by fresh speculation this week linking the highly successful Aston Villa manager with the Manchester United job. This follows Ruben Amorim's departure from the Old Trafford hotseat.
Emery has overseen a remarkable transformation at Villa Park since his arrival, establishing the club as consistent top-four contenders and Champions League participants. His work has inevitably led to links with Europe's elite clubs.
However, Gallagher's comments highlight a growing perception that the power dynamic in English football has shifted. His remarks suggest that the Manchester United job, once considered the ultimate prize, has lost its lustre compared to projects with clear vision and stability, like the one Emery currently leads in Birmingham.
