Manchester United - Man Utd
Antonio Conte could be lined up as a shock successor to Michael Carrick this season, as per the latest news surrounding Man United. Reports suggest the former Napoli manager is prepared to come back to
football and is waiting for the right offer. This has raised fresh questions around Old Trafford despite Carrick’s recent progress with the team.
Carrick’s bright start meets a rocky patch
Carrick took charge after Ruben Amorim left the club, and results improved fast under his management. Under his guidance, Manchester United secured Champions League qualification and finished third in the Premier League table. That level of consistency had given fans genuine belief that United were finally moving in the right direction under a settled coaching setup. However, as reported by GOAL, concerns are building following a shaky opening to the campaign. Four games into the Premier League season, United sit on four points, which has raised new questions about the squad.
Fabrizio Romano recently addressed these concerns on his channel, insisting the club still trusts Carrick fully. He said United “absolutely remain convinced that the future will be bright” under their manager despite the tough results. Romano added that United looked for a new left-back in the summer but failed to land the right player. This has left the squad short of left-back depth going into a packed fixture list this season.
Carrick’s record so far in the 2026-27 season at Man Utd, as per FOTMOB:
Competition Matches Won Draw Loss
Premier League 4 1 1 2
UEFA Champions League 1 1 – –
Carabao Cup 1 0 – 1
Antonio Conte links to Old Trafford grow stronger
Italian outlet Corriere della Sera now say Antonio Conte is“waiting by the phone” for a possible call from Manchester United. Conte, 57, has had no club since his Napoli exit and he has already turned down offers from the Italian national team and Fenerbahce. This suggests he is holding out for a bigger project, and a return to the Premier League would suit those ambitions.
Conte’s managerial record makes him an attractive option for any club looking for immediate results. Conte has lifted six league titles over the course of his career. He also holds an impressive 58.04 percent win rate from more than 700 games in charge. That kind of experience will likely give the Red Devils a faster route back to competing at the top. It would also mean a major shift in style compared to Carrick’s more patient approach. Conte’s preferred back three system, built on disciplined defending and quick transitions, sits in sharp contrast to the possession-based approach Carrick has tried to build this season.
Manchester United - Man Utd
Manchester United - Man Utd
What this could mean for Manchester United
Despite the speculation around his future, sources close to the club insist there is no real plan to remove Carrick right now. Carrick himself has stayed calm in public, repeatedly backing his players and pointing to the long-term project rather than a short-term reaction to results.
Still, if results do not improve soon, the interest from Italy could turn into a genuine approach. Juventus are also reportedly keen on bringing Conte back to Turin, which adds extra competition for his signature. United’s next run of Premier League fixtures, including matches against several top-six sides, is likely to play a major part in shaping any final decision. A final call on Carrick’s future is likely to hinge on how United perform over the coming weeks.
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