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Antonio Conte remains a serious option for Manchester United should they axe Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but the Italian will demand he brings one of his most trusted players along with him if he is offered the job, claims a report.

Solskjaer is under intense pressure at Manchester United after a run of four Premier League games returned just a solitary point. The culmination was Sunday’s 5-0 reverse at Old Trafford against Liverpool. The Norwegian remains in the hot-seat with United’s owners said to be undecided on the best course of action.

Solskjaer took charge of United’s training session as usual at Carrington on Tuesday. However, Sir Alex Ferguson was there too, but, according to Fabrizio Romano “the feeling around the staff is the same: he’s staying”.

That may well change of the course of the next few weeks if the Glazers see more damaging results. And with Tottenham, Atalanta and Man City to come before the international break, the pressure is on Solskjaer.

He’s only looking forward though, as he told LMA chief executive Richard Bevan.

That has not stopped speculation raging about who United could turn to if they decide to axe the former Molde coach.

And former Chelsea title winner Conte remains in the frame. Out-of-work the Italian may well be seen as a safe pair of hands for the Glazers and Corriere della Sera, via Sport Witness state he would be the ‘right solution’ for the club.

They also claim Conte would be ready to “make an exception” to his rule of not taking over teams midway through the season.

Inter Live are more convinced and believes he “could arrive” in Manchester, “but only under certain conditions”.

Of course the financial package would have to be right and the length of contract, but the outlet claim Conte would “be ready to accept a proposal from Manchester United”.

However, the 52-year-old would insist on bringing a trusted defender with him. A deal may well hinge on the “purchase of a loyal player from Inter as early as January”.

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United’s Raiola problem

The player in question is Inter Milan’s Netherlands international Stefan de Vrij.

De Vrij played 32 times at centre-back last season and helped Conte’s Inter claim the Scudetto. He is seen by Conte as “ideal for guiding the transition from a four-man defence to a three-man defence”.

The report adds that “on the table there is a possible offer of €30-€32m”. But they do state it is “almost impossible deal in the coming months”.

What makes it more difficult is that De Vrij’s agent is the larger than life Mino Raiola. The representative of Paul Pogba’s who is advising the United midfielder with his existing contract expiring next June.

If Raiola does run down the contract of Pogba, the £89m signing will be available for free. And it will be hard to see United officials negotiate with Raiola over De Vrij in that instance.

READ MORE: Man Utd star ‘openly challenged’ Solskjaer in front of squad, who have four concerns

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