Michael Carrick is facing the first real storm of his Manchester United reign after the optimism created by last season’s remarkable turnaround has quickly begun to disappear.
Carrick returned in January and transformed United’s fortunes, winning 12 of his 17 matches as the club climbed into the Champions League places and handed him the job permanently.
This season has been different.
United have collected only five points from their opening five Premier League matches, their joint-worst start to a campaign in the competition.
There has been something particularly concerning about the performances too. United have often looked dull and passive, lacking the urgency expected at Old Trafford.
They lost 1-0 at home to Manchester City despite their rivals playing most of the game with ten men, before throwing away a two-goal advantage to lose 3-2 against Brighton and exit the Carabao Cup.
A 1-1 draw at Fulham followed, with United again drifting through long periods of the contest before Matheus Cunha’s late deflected equaliser rescued a point.
Carrick remains in charge, but one of his former United colleagues would reportedly be interested should the position eventually become available.
Former Manchester United coach interested in Old Trafford return
The man in question is Kieran McKenna, who worked alongside Carrick on United’s coaching staff before beginning his managerial career with Ipswich Town.
According to Football FanCast, the 40-year-old is open to discussions with both United and Tottenham as he considers his return to management.
McKenna originally joined United in 2016 as Under-18s manager before being promoted to the first-team coaching staff, working under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer alongside Carrick.
He left to manage Ipswich in December 2021 and built his reputation at Portman Road, eventually delivering three promotions in four seasons.
McKenna stepped down this summer to take a break from management, but Football FanCast reports he is prepared to wait for the right opportunity.
Any United return would therefore carry an intriguing twist: two coaches who once stood together on the Old Trafford touchline could ultimately find themselves competing for the same job.