Next Man United manager: Who could replace Michael Carrick?
Michael Carrick is running out of time to save his job at Manchester United, with the club poised to ramp up the search for a fourth permanent manager in three years since minority owners Ineos took over football operations.
Carrick – who impressed during his interim spell in charge last season – has come under huge pressure following United’s worst start to a season in 40 years.
That pressure has only intensified after a dismal 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League on Wednesday night was followed by a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth at home on Sunday, with fans streaming out of Old Trafford in their droves during the second half.
While the problems United face run far deeper than the head coach – as highlighted by defender Lisandro Martinez after the defeat to Atletico Madrid earlier this month – Carrick’s appears to be on the brink following criticism of his tactics by the United captain Bruno Fernandes, who was then left on the bench against Bournemouth.
While Carrick remained in charge for Sunday’s defeat to the Cherries, the club have already discussed potential replacements should he follow the departures of Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim under the Ineos leadership.
Carrick spoke for almost six minutes at the start of his pre-match press conference on Friday, imploring the importance of “sacrifice”, “humility” and “hard work” in an impassioned speech which highlighted the “values” of the club and “respecting” the responsibility of representing United.
But who could United turn to as they seek to salvage their campaign?
Eddie Howe
The Englishman is available after his shock decision to leave Newcastle United in the summer. Howe told the club he needed a break from management but the chance to take charge at Old Trafford, three months later, would surely be too good to turn down if an offer arrives. The 48-year-old remains highly regarded in English football after taking over a Newcastle side in the relegation zone and leading them to the club’s highest Premier League finish in two decades, as well as their first domestic silverware in 70 years. Howe twice took Newcastle into the Champions League playing an energetic, high-intensity style of football that would be popular at Old Trafford. He is currently the favourite with the bookies.
Howe led Newcastle to the Carabao Cup in 2025 before leaving at the end of the following season (Getty)
Fabian Hurzeler
Brighton have been the surprise package in the Premier League this season and the 33-year-old Hurzeler has drawn praise for turning the Seagulls into a side capable of competing with the country’s biggest clubs. Brighton’s 3-0 victory over champions Arsenal earlier this season was a masterclass in modern coaching while Hurzeler’s side also knocked United out of the Carabao Cup with a brilliant 3-2 win at Old Trafford. The Independent’s Chief Football Writer Miguel Delaney has reported that Hurzeler is admired at Old Trafford but Brighton would demand significant compensation for the highly-rated German and United may not have the cash. At Brighton, Hurzeler has also enjoyed an environment where the club have made all the right decisions off the pitch. At United, he would arguably be walking into the opposite.
The Brighton boss said on Friday: “I’m fully focused on my job here. I’ve got no time to think about these rumours because we play every three days. I have a lot of respect for Michael Carrick and the job he has done at Manchester United the last season. He’s a great human being, a great personality, and I really respect him. There’s nothing more to say about that. I’m really privileged to be here. I’m part of a journey [at Brighton] and I still have this feeling when I go to bed that we are not finished with our journey… “We have built this [together] over the years. We’ve had good periods, we’ve had bad periods. To build these connections you need time. You don’t take these things for granted. It’s a people business. Making a people business out of this pressure business is something I don’t take for granted and something I won’t throw away that fast.”
Fabian Hurzeler led Brighton to a brilliant win at Old Trafford earlier this season (Getty)
Julian Nagelsmann
The former wunderkind of German coaching was reportedly on United’s radar when they sacked Ruben Amorim at the start of the year, but as an option for the summer following the World Cup. Well, that was a bit of a disaster for the former Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig coach, as Germany were knocked out in the last-32 by Paraguay. Nagelsmann, 39, would naturally be interested in managing United and the club’s director of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, previously worked with him at Red Bull.
Julian Nagelsmann has been considered by United in the past and is available (Getty)
Unai Emery
The Spaniard has done a superb job at Aston Villa by securing Champions League qualification and ending the club’s trophy drought with victory in the Europa League. But Aston Villa will be even more determined to keep Emery given the club are only in the early stages of their rebuild under him, having completely overhauled the spine of their team over the summer. As it is, Emery enjoys complete control over his project at Villa Park, a reality he is unlikely to find at Old Trafford, while he appears enthused by the challenge of constructing a second competitive team in the Premier League. With Emery, who is under contract until 2029, United would also need to pay Villa compensation, and that may place him above their budget.
Unai Emery appears enthused by the challenge of building ‘Villa 2.0’ (Getty)
Antonio Conte
The appeal of the combustible Italian only has grown while United have been accused of becoming too passive and pedestrian on the pitch. Conte is one of the most demanding coaches in the game and would instantly bring a level of intensity and urgency
Source: sports.yahoo.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.