Manchester United are beginning to consider potential replacements for Michael Carrick as pressure on the head coach intensifies, although club sources insist there are no imminent plans to dispense with him.
United have made a subpar start to the campaign, taking six points from their opening six Premier League matches and winning only one of their two Champions League outings so far. Their most recent defeat in Europe, a 2-0 loss away at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, has only intensified the scrutiny. Still, the rumour mill is already spinning at pace in the event of Carrick’s sacking, and one of their targets has reportedly told the club he is keen on the role.
Here are some of the potential replacement candidates.
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 it could well 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 a suitable option.
Fabian Hurzeler
The young 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 years old, 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. 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 made contact with United to express an interest in the job should Carrick be deposed.
Julian Nagelsmann
The former Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann is also on the market after leaving 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 potential 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 stepping down as Ipswich boss at the end of last season, with United the latest addition to 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 to replace Carrick is the Chelsea and Arsenal legend Cesc Fabregas, who is presently 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.