Manchester United are beginning to consider potential replacements for head coach Michael Carrick as pressure on him continues to intensify. United sources insist there are no imminent plans to dispense with Carrick, but reports suggest the club is already weighing up options should he be sacked.
United have made a distinctly subpar start to the campaign, taking six points from their opening six Premier League matches and winning only one of two Champions League outings. Their most recent defeat, a 2-0 loss away at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, has only intensified the scrutiny.
Eddie Howe
Seemingly the most likely heir apparent, United are said to hold a long-standing interest in Eddie Howe. The club looked into hiring the former Bournemouth boss when Erik ten Hag was sacked in 2024, and they could renew that interest if Carrick departs. Howe left his most recent post at Newcastle this summer.
Reporting in the Daily Telegraph last month suggested that, after taking time away from football to be with his family, Howe fancies the challenge of taking over at a sleeping giant, or a historically successful club that has fallen on hard times. United appear to be a suitable option.
Fabian Hurzeler
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler is reportedly the “standout” candidate to step in for Carrick. That claim came from The Sun, which says the German was considered as an option to replace Ruben Amorim last season, before Carrick’s interim stint was made permanent.
At 33, Hurzeler would be younger than three members of the United squad, but his record with the Seagulls is difficult to look past.
Antonio Conte
A proven Premier League winner with Chelsea and a five-time Serie A champion in his playing days, Antonio Conte is free and available after leaving Napoli earlier this year. He has been flirting with United in the media in recent weeks. In an interview with The Athletic last month, he made an oblique “come and get me” plea: “I’d like to go to one of these clubs to dust off that history and make it shine once more.”
New reports from TalkSport this week add that his representatives have made contact with United to express interest in the job should Carrick be deposed.
Julian Nagelsmann
Former Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann is also on the market. He left his post with the German national team this summer following an ignominious World Cup elimination by Paraguay. Reports from TalkSport’s Ben Jacobs suggest he ranks highly on United’s shortlist of replacements for Carrick, and he is said to be the preferred choice of Christopher Vivell.
Kieran McKenna
Kieran McKenna has been linked with a number of managerial jobs since he stepped down as Ipswich boss at the end of last season, and United are the latest club on that list. He earned promotion twice with the Tractor Boys but called it quits as he looked to take some time away from the game.
That was his first full-time senior managerial job, and he had previously served as a coach at Old Trafford. He may well be tempted by the prospect of returning to his former club.
Cesc Fabregas
One of the more left-field options is Chelsea and Arsenal legend Cesc Fabregas, who is currently employed by Como. He remains under contract with the Serie A side until 2028 and is not thought to be interested in moving to the Premier League, yet. The Spaniard does, however, rank highly among United’s managerial targets.