Paul Scholes is top candidate for Oldham Athletic job

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has been named as the favourite for the manager’s job at League Two Oldham Athletic.

The 44-year-old is one of four candidates that have been interviewed over the currently vacant position.

If the 11-time Premier League champion does become the boss at Boundary Park, then it is expected that the former midfielder would have to end his ties with Salford City, the National League side he currently co-owns alongside former United legends Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and Ryan Giggs.

Scholes has a long infinity with the football league side, being a fan of the club since he was a child and originally applied for the job back in 2017 but got snubbed in favour of Richie Wellens.

Wellens was sacked that season as he oversaw Oldham’s relegation from League One before the reins were passed to Frankie Bunn, although the former Oldham player only lasted six months in the role and departed in December.

Since then assistant manager Pete Wild has won half of his matches in charge including an FA Cup scalp for his Latics side over Claudio Ranieri’s Fulham.

Wild has been told that he will be in charge of Oldham’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against Doncaster Rovers as owner Abdallah Lemsagam continues to look for his next manager.

Lemsagam was expected to return to the UK from Dubai yesterday but is now expected to arrive later on this week.

Oldham are currently 12th in Sky Bet League Two, five points outside the play-off places.