Manchester United are searching for a permanent successor to Ruben Amorim, with interim boss Michael Carrick making a strong case for the job
Michael Carrick has made a major impact at Manchester United
Michael Carrick has made a major impact at Manchester United(Image: 2026 Catherine Ivill - AMA)
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The identity of Manchester United's next manager remains unclear. While interim boss Michael Carrick has presented a compelling argument to secure the role permanently, it's understood the club are taking their time over appointing Ruben Amorim's long-term successor.
United officials are keeping their cards close to their chest regarding plans for next season, but Sky Sports has indicated the club have yet to approach any alternative candidates. The club's director of football, Jason Wilcox, and chief executive, Omar Berrada, are said to believe there's no urgency to rush into a decision while the team is performing at such a high level.
The club have been linked with the likes of Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola and PSG's Luis Enrique throughout their ongoing recruitment process, though they've found themselves in comparable circumstances on multiple occasions in recent seasons.
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Here, the MEN examines the managers United have approached in recent years as the search for the next occupant of Old Trafford's hot seat continues.
Ernesto Valverde
Former Barcelona manager Valverde has recently announced his departure from Athletic Club at the end of the current campaign. He is in his third spell at the helm of the club.
Ernesto Valverde
Ernesto Valverde was linked with United(Image: Getty Images)
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Athletic have endured a difficult season and presently occupy ninth place in La Liga with nine league fixtures remaining, leading Valverde to bring his tenure to a close. The 62-year-old Spaniard was amongst those considered for the interim manager position at United following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's dismissal in November 2021.
United made contact with Valverde, who had been out of work since departing Barcelona in 2020. In the end, United appointed Ralf Rangnick on a deal running until the conclusion of the 2021/22 campaign.
Mauricio Pochettino
United are understood to have been unsuccessful in their initial approach to tempt former Spurs manager Pochettino to Old Trafford back in November 2021. Old Trafford officials were reported to be long-standing admirers of the Argentine and believed he might have been interested in accepting the permanent role.
Mauricio Pochettino looks on
Mauricio Pochettino is the manager of the USA(Image: Getty Images)
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The ex-PSG manager was the club's top choice to succeed Jose Mourinho in the summer of 2019, only for Solskjaer's caretaker stint to prove so impressive that he was awarded a three-year deal.
In charge of the French club at that time, the current United States national team manager was notably evasive when questioned about his future in 2021. Pochettino dismissed speculation at a press conference, saying: "Thank you, ciao", before departing.
Thomas Frank
United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is understood to have held discussions with Thomas Frank during the summer of 2024. According to a TV2 report, the conversations allegedly occurred in May 2024, the day prior to United's victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
The report suggested that Ratcliffe interviewed Frank at his London garage, while Chelsea were similarly interested in the Danish manager. Ultimately, United proceeded to extend Erik Ten Hag's contract before replacing him with Amorim five months down the line.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 07: Thomas Frank, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on February 07, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Frank left Spurs earlier this year(Image: Carl Recine, Getty Images)
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Frank subsequently departed Brentford to assume the Tottenham managerial position, before his own dismissal earlier this campaign.
Discussing his interviews with United and Chelsea, Frank told TV2: "I know I didn't get either job, but it was still huge. I remember walking through Battersea Park between the two interviews and thinking: 'Thomas Frank from f*****g Frederiksvaerk - am I really experiencing this?'"
Luis Enrique
The coaching legend was viewed as a possible successor following Solskjaer's departure in 2021. However, they eventually appointed Ten Hag instead.
Enrique had experienced a devastating loss in 2019 when his daughter passed away while he was managing Spain, leading the country's FA to grant him compassionate leave. Committed to serving his nation, Enrique returned to guide Spain at the 2022 World Cup, effectively ending any prospect of him taking charge at United.
Luis Enrique with the Champions League trophy
Luis Enrique has twice won the Champions League during his managerial career(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
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The speculation gained credibility from United author Andy Mitten, who posted on X in 2025 with considerable acclaim for Enrique. He said: "Luis Enrique is a genius. He was as a player and he is as a coach. He should've become MUFC manager in '22, but the timings weren't right as he was at Spain ahead of the World Cup."
However, the PSG boss is now reportedly among the contenders United are considering to take the helm this summer, should the 55-year-old decide to leave the French outfit.
Thomas Tuchel
United considered a move for Thomas Tuchel several months prior to appointing Amorim. Tuchel agreed terms with England in autumn 2024 and officially took over in January 2025. As per The Athletic, United were still contemplating Tuchel a fortnight after their cup final victory over City in 2024.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel
England head coach Thomas Tuchel(Image: 2026 The FA)
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The German is even reported to have met with United executives in Monaco but failed to reach an agreement, and was apparently not ready to return to football so soon after departing Bayern Munich.
The ex-Chelsea manager has since extended his contract with England, committing to lead the Three Lions into the 2028 European Championships.
Roberto De Zerbi
The highly-regarded Italian recently left Marseille, with numerous clubs reportedly monitoring his situation. De Zerbi's impressive tenure at Brighton during his two years on the south coast is said to have piqued United's interest before they approached Amorim.
MARSEILLE, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 3: Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi of Olympique de Marseille speaks after the French Cup match between Olympique de Marseille and Stade Rennais at Orange Velodrome on February 3, 2026 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Roberto De Zerbi has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs(Image: Neal Simpson/Allstar, Getty Images)
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However, negotiations with Zerbi reportedly hit a snag after the Italian turned down an initial offer from United and no improved proposal was forthcoming. De Zerbi is no longer thought to be in contention for the United role.
The 46-year-old is reportedly 'relishing' the opportunity to take charge at Tottenham, especially as their own interim manager, Igor Tudor, is under significant pressure.