Wilcox had previously worked with Martin at Southampton and regarded the former Scotland international as a manager worth monitoring for the future.

According to The Athletic, Martin was not considered a realistic candidate for the United job at that stage due to his relative lack of top-level experience, but Wilcox was impressed by his character, tactical understanding and commitment to possession-based football.

Martin would later take charge of Rangers, but his spell at Ibrox proved ill-fated, lasting just 123 days. It proved another setback in Martin’s managerial career after his time with Southampton had ended in relegation from the Premier League.

But the revelation of Wilcox’s admiration provides an intriguing insight into how highly Martin was regarded before his eventual move to Rangers.

Wilcox had appointed him at Southampton in 2023 and backed him through a difficult start before the club embarked on a club-record 25-match unbeaten run and secured promotion to the Premier League through the play-offs.