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Who can potentially replace Michael Carrick as pressure is mounting on Manchester United?
Manchester United have begun exploring potential managerial successors to Michael Carrick as uncertainty grows over the head coach’s future following a difficult start to the 2026–27 season as the club have made the worst start to their season since the 1988 season.
The Red Devils are now winless in their last nine games and have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their league games this season.
Although the club have not announced any decision to dismiss Carrick, our sources suggest that the Man United hierarchy is assessing alternative options should they decide to make another change.
According to BBC Sport, Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann are among the leading candidates United have considered.
Some other reports also state that Unai Emery has also been considered by the hierarchy. Howe, who left Newcastle United in the summer, is open to taking charge at Old Trafford.
He guided Newcastle to the 2025 Carabao Cup and secured Champions League qualification during his time at St James’ Park before he mutually left the club ahead of this season.
Nagelsmann is another attractive option. The former Bayern Munich manager is currently without a club after leaving his position as Germany head coach following the 2026 World Cup after they got knocked out on penalties by Paraguay in the Round of 32.
He won the Bundesliga with Bayern in 2022 and is highly regarded for his gegenpressing style of football.
Unai Emery is an option, but Aston Villa won't make it easy for him to leave midway, especially because they're doing well in the Champions League and the Spaniard’s contract runs till 2029.
Antonio Conte is also a free agent right now after leaving Napoli last year and has expressed his services to a club struggling to revive their identity, and Man United seems to be the perfect place to do so.
Brighton boss Fabian Hürzeler has emerged in separate reports as another name attracting interest, although reports suggest he is not particularly keen on leaving Brighton at this stage with the Seagulls competing for the top four in the league and also competing in the Conference League.
For now, Carrick remains in charge of his position following United’s poor run of results, and back-to-back comebacks from two-goal deficits against Roma and Aston Villa have sparked hope again.
The club have yet to confirm a formal change in direction, and the names being discussed should be viewed as potential options in case he gets sacked.
United’s immediate priority remains improving performances with Carrick on board. But with the pressure mounting on Carrick, his position appears increasingly uncertain.
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