Manchester United have begun considering potential replacements for head coach Michael Carrick as pressure on him intensifies after a poor start to the season. United have taken six points from their opening six Premier League matches and have won only one of their two Champions League games. Their most recent continental defeat, a 2-0 loss away at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, has intensified the scrutiny further.
United sources insist there are no imminent plans to dispense with Carrick. However, the rumour mill is already spinning in the event of his sacking, and one of the club’s targets has reportedly told United he is keen on the role. The following candidates have emerged.
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 Howe, after taking time away from football to be with his family, 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 reported that the German was considered as an option to replace Ruben Amorim last season, before Carrick’s interim stint was made permanent.
At 33 years old, Hurzeler would be younger than three members of the United squad. His record with the Seagulls is, however, difficult to look past.
Antonio Conte
A proven Premier League winner with Chelsea and a five-time Serie A champion as a player, Antonio Conte is free and available after leaving Napoli earlier this year. He has been flirting with United in the media in recent weeks. Speaking 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 contacted United to express an 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 Nagelsmann ranks highly on United’s shortlist of potential replacements for Carrick. 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 addition to that list. He earned promotion twice with the Tractor Boys but called it quits as he looked to take time away from the game.
That was his first full-time senior managerial job. He had previously served as a coach at Old Trafford, and he may well be tempted by the prospect of returning to his former club.
Cesc Fabregas
One of the more left-field options to replace Carrick is Chelsea and Arsenal legend Cesc Fabregas, who is currently employed by the upwardly mobile 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.