Manchester United are already looking at possible alternatives to Michael Carrick, with Antonio Conte and Julian Nagelsmann both admired by senior figures at Old Trafford.
Carrick remains in charge, but the pressure around him has intensified after a poor start to the season and a five-game winless run.
Tuesday’s 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid only added to the feeling that United may soon have a major decision to make.
Conte and Nagelsmann are now among the names being discussed internally, alongside Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler.
Conte and Nagelsmann have admirers at Man United
According to talkSPORT, both Conte and Nagelsmann have support among Manchester United’s decision-makers.
Director of recruitment Christopher Vivell is understood to be particularly keen on Nagelsmann, who is currently available after leaving the Germany job.
Conte also remains firmly in the conversation. The former Chelsea and Tottenham manager has already indicated he would be interested in returning to Premier League management, and his experience of winning major trophies would make him an obvious candidate.
Hurzeler is another name United admire, although appointing him would require negotiating with Brighton.
United need to decide what type of manager they actually want
That may ultimately be the biggest issue. Conte and Nagelsmann represent two very different approaches.
Conte offers experience, structure and an immediate demand for results. Nagelsmann would be more of a long-term tactical project, with a reputation for developing players and building flexible systems.
The decision therefore cannot simply be about who is available first.
Carrick still has an opportunity to save himself. Reuters recently reported that United have taken only six points from their opening six Premier League matches, their worst start since 1986/87.
That record means improvement has to come quickly. If results remain poor, United will eventually have to choose between giving Carrick more time or making another managerial reset.
Having Conte and Nagelsmann available certainly gives INEOS strong options. But after years of changing direction, United also need to make sure their next appointment actually fits a coherent football plan.
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I’m a South African and love Manchester United to bits, even though the team has a little hiccup. But for me i think Carrick has done a great job after he has taken charge of the team. I must say that he was also a Man United player who played exceptionally. His been in job just a couple of months. So now there is a bit of problem were Man United is under performing due to injuries and other reasons. Does this make Carrick an under performing manager. No i say because there were so many other managers that has come and NEVER taken the team to great heights. Here we have Carrick who brought the team into Premier League play. I feel it will be very disturbing to say he his not a potential manager. As a former player of this team he knows what he is capable of. So give him the chance and believe in him. His a very charm potential guy. Man United will bloom back to its old glory. This is 1 team that did the impossible. There’s no other team like Man United. Let’s hope the owners can invest and get players in the affected areas. I love Man United.
Please be realistic about Carrick who had only 1 game a week last season . Ask yourself if Carrick has “won” any Premiership as a Manager ? Carrick was sacked when he was at Middlesborough . This United team needs Conte to kick their backsides into gear . If Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos don’t seize this opportunity of hiring Conte “now” then all will be lost again for United . Bruno , Maguire & Shaw need to be dropped & sold . Thank you . Loyal ,Honest Utd Fan .
Carrick deserves a season. Too many managers were sacked quickly. Apply today’s demands to Alex Fergusson and he would have been sacked look what he eventually achieved.