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Manchester United directors will assemble in Monaco on Wednesday to discuss the future of head coach Michael Carrick following the team’s worst top-flight start in nearly four decades. With only one win from their first 10 Premier League matches, the club sits 18th in the table, just a single point clear of bottom-placed Crystal Palace.
Carrick’s position is under intense examination after 10 months in charge. Should the 45-year-old former midfielder leave, United will begin the search for their eighth permanent manager in the 13 years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. That would match the total number of managerial changes made across the 68 years between Sir Matt Busby’s arrival in 1945 and Ferguson’s departure.
Pressure Mounts on Carrick
Carrick initially enjoyed a stellar interim run after arriving in January, accumulating a league-high 12 wins and 39 points over the remainder of that season. However, results have deteriorated drastically this term, yielding just three victories from 15 matches across all competitions. United are currently enduring an eight-game winless run in the league, their lowest standing at this stage in 40 years, despite recent spirited performances that included a comeback win against Roma and a 4-4 draw with Aston Villa.
As Carrick’s tenure hangs in the balance, an analysis by BBC Sport outlines the leading potential contenders for the Old Trafford role.
Pochettino and Nagelsmann Among Elite Options
United have maintained an interest in Mauricio Pochettino for a decade. The 54-year-old is presently under contract with the United States national team through the 2030 World Cup after guiding them to the tournament’s round of 16. Although he oversees an emerging group featuring 17-year-old talent Cavan Sullivan, Pochettino has publicly expressed that he has unfinished business in the Premier League. His deal contains a reported $10 million (£7.44m) release clause, alongside terms permitting departures for certain high-profile positions.
Julian Nagelsmann, 39, represents another high-profile alternative. The former Bayern Munich boss became the youngest head coach in Bundesliga history at Hoffenheim before taking RB Leipzig to the Champions League semi-finals. He left the German national team over the summer following a World Cup exit against Paraguay. Nagelsmann also holds an established connection with United’s recruitment director, Christopher Vivell, from their shared tenure at Leipzig.
Domestic Contenders and Unlikely Alternatives
Eddie Howe is available following his summer departure from Newcastle United, where he finished 12th last season. The 48-year-old previously guided Bournemouth to the Premier League and ended Newcastle’s domestic trophy drought with a League Cup final win over Liverpool, alongside two top-five finishes. Newcastle would receive only a minor compensation fee should United pursue him.
Antonio Conte offers proven silverware pedigree, having stepped down from Napoli after securing their fourth Serie A crown, alongside past title-winning spells with Juventus, Chelsea, and Inter Milan. However, his previous Premier League stint at Tottenham ended acrimoniously in 2023 following public criticisms of squad mentality and club culture, while his time at Chelsea also involved clashes with management.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has similarly drawn attention after guiding his team back into the Champions League and winning the Europa League last term. Despite his profile, Emery is anticipated to agree a new contract with Villa, making any departure for Old Trafford improbable as United’s hierarchy prepares for Wednesday’s decisive summit.
