Manchester United appointed Michael Carrick as their temporary head coach on Tuesday, but Ineos are now expected to step up the search for a new permanent option ahead of the summer.
The new year began with lots of sudden change at Manchester United, with Ruben Amorim sacked after 14 months last week.
Darren Fletcher stepped in for two matches but was unable to pick up a win from any of them as United crashed out of the FA Cup third round, losing 2-1 against Brighton at Old Trafford.
With Fletcher returning to coach the U18s after his short stint in charge, Michael Carrick became the head coach for the remainder of the season.
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Carrick’s main objective is to secure Champions League qualification, but United are currently sitting seventh in the Premier League and winless in four matches across all competitions.
The first match since Carrick’s return takes place on Saturday afternoon when United face Man City at Old Trafford.
A strong run of results between now and the end of the season may persuade United fans to want the former midfield ace considered for the role on a full-time basis, but that seems like a huge ask at this point.
Xabi Alonso and Florentino Perez
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Man Utd consider swoop for Xavi Alonso after Real Madrid sacking
United are not the only European giant in football to sack their head coach at the start of 2026.
Earlier this week, Xabi Alonso was sacked by Real Madrid after just seven months in charge, following a defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
The Spaniard, who played for Liverpool and Real Madrid during his playing career, won 24 of his 34 matches in the Bernabeu hotseat.
Alonso is still likely to be a much sought-after coach, despite his brief stint at Real Madrid.
United were always likely to be part of the Alonso conversation, given Ineos’ ongoing search for a new permanent head coach to replace Carrick in the hotseat this summer.
It cannot be ignored that Alonso managed to win the Bundesliga title with a team that is not Bayern Munich. He achieved that feat with Bayer Leverkusen last season when they became the first team to complete an entire Bundesliga season without defeat.
Under Alonso, the reigning Bundesliga champions set a European record of 51 games unbeaten across all competitions.
According to Miguel Delaney of The Independent, United are ‘definitely’ looking at Alonso as a potential option.
“They are definitely looking at it, while knowing it’s unlikely,” Delaney wrote.
“For United’s part, they do want to take the next five months to properly think about what next, but he will come into that thinking as one of the best coaching names on the market.
“There is obviously a realisation he has that connection to Liverpool, and that other jobs may be more appealing in terms of recent performance and what that says about their structures. United do feel they are getting that part right, though.”
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Jamie Carragher dismisses Xabi Alonso to Man Utd
Recruiting ex-Liverpool players or staff is something United have done throughout their history.
Legendary manager Sir Matt Busby played 37 matches for Liverpool, scoring five goals, before going on to build foundations that would see United emerge as one of the biggest clubs in the world – even after the Munich Air Disaster.
In more recent times, United have hired fitness coach Andy O’Boyle following a stint at Liverpool.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher shared the dressing room with Alonso as a player, but he has quickly dismissed the suggestion that the Spaniard is in line to accept a role at Old Trafford.
“He can’t go there,” Carragher said on Stick To Football.
Liverpool fans will be hoping that United don’t advance with a deal to hire Alonso.
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