Brad Friedel doubts Unai Emery would leave Aston Villa for Manchester United, with the former Villa goalkeeper arguing that his current situation is far more stable.
Emery has been named as a serious candidate for the Manchester United manager's job if the club decide to part company with Michael Carrick.
Fabrizio Romano previously reported that influential figures at United regard the Spaniard as one of the ideal candidates for the next stage of the project.
Friedel acknowledges that managers must consider every career option because of the insecurity of the profession:
A manager has to think about what is happening now, not just the future of their career.
You can move to another club, take charge for six matches and lose your job.
The manager's job is ruthless.
I think whenever a big vacancy comes up, Unai Emery's name will be on the list of candidates.
But I would be very surprised if he left for a club like Manchester United now.
Friedel believes Emery has the opportunity to continue developing the project at Villa.
If he can get Aston Villa into the Champions League again, he can build an incredible team.
The club have already come through a period when they had to get their wage bill and finances in order.
If they get there again, they will be in a very good financial position.
By then the stadium will be finished, matchday revenue will increase and the club will be able to spend a little more.
The former goalkeeper therefore does not expect Emery to leave soon:
I don't see Unai Emery wanting to leave for that job now.
Of course, some people would agree to at least have a conversation, simply because it is Manchester United.
But if you look closely at the position of the two clubs, I think it is better to stay at Villa.
Emery and Carrick will face each other at Old Trafford on Sunday. The match has particular significance for the current United manager amid the pressure on him and the team's position in the lower half of the table.
