Probably a man of the club is the best option in moments like this, and hopefully no one will attack him the way Rafa or Hodgson were attacked. When the situation is dire, a man of the club is a very footballish thing to do, and the fans, pros and antis, must back the new man now, unlike the previous years.
And don't listen again to the Mancs when they talk about what's good for the club and what's now, because Hodgson certainly wasn't.