Michael Carrick replacements: Ranking 4 best candidates if Man United sack reeling manager originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Manchester United appear to be moving towards their ninth managerial appointment since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club in 2013.
Michael Carrick's tenure is reportedly hanging by a thread after Sunday's bleak 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth extended United's winless run to eight games across all competitions.
That loss followed a 4-1 thrashing at Como in the Champions League, when club captain Bruno Fernandes followed Lisandro Martinez in breaking ranks and airing grievances in public.
Carrick began his press conference to preview the Bournemouth game with a five-minute monologue about United's history and the standards set by the greats of the Ferguson era and beyond.
Results on the field are set to consign a popular former player to that history. So who's next?
MORE:Man United managers since Sir Alex Ferguson: Best record, stats with Michael Carrick on the brink
Who will be next Man United manager?
Eddie Howe
Out of work since leaving Newcastle United in July, Howe is reported to be a leading candidate and a favourite of United's much-maligned director of football Jason Wilcox.
The restorative job he did at Newcastle before leading the club to its first domestic trophy in 70 years highlights how he could bring plenty of positives to Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim's demise was hastened by a chastening home loss to Howe's Newcastle in December 2025, when a 2-0 defeat considerably flattered the hosts. It is questionable whether he would be able to impart his preferred high-octane brand of football on a United midfield and defence that do not look equipped.
Julian Nagelsmann
Another out-of-work option following his demise as Germany head coach, Nagelsmann is still only 39. Once presumed destined for the very top of the game, his career has plateaued over recent years after mixed spells with Bayern Munich and Die Mannschaft.
Nagelsmann is a favourite of United's recruitment director Christopher Vivell after the two worked together at the Red Bull Group, although Wilcox is presumed to have the ear of United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to a greater extent.
Antonio Conte
Like Howe and Nagelsmann, Conte would not need to be extracted from current employers, having left Napoli in the summer. That was 12 months after he led the club to Serie A glory.
Conte's reputation as a no-nonsense, serial winner must be set against his uncompromising approach that often burns out within a couple of years and can feel like something akin to a scorched earth policy.
A Premier League winner with Chelsea in 2016-17, he also guided Tottenham to Champions League qualification in 2021/22. He would undoubtedly improve matters at United in the short to medium term, and plenty of fans would relish his hard line with the playing squad.
But if the United brains trust go down the Conte route, they would have to had a plan in place for what happens when his customarily angry exit strategy comes around.
Unai Emery
Viewed by many as the best coach in the Premier League right now on account of ongoing superb work at Aston Villa. Emery would cost United a considerable amount in compensation. Plus, it's tempting to ask why on earth he would subject himself to the chaos of Old Trafford when he has such a good thing going on at Villa.
Emery looks like he is exactly where he needs to be. His success at Villa echoes his multiple Europa League wins at Sevilla. If he were to tackle the task at United, his work at Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal paints a less-favourable picture.
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