History could be about to repeat itself unless Manchester United act quickly
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick remains under pressure(Image: Annabel Lee-Ellis/the Press Association)
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Manchester United could be forced to make a quick managerial change to avoid missing out on Antonio Conte. A 1-1 draw at Leeds United did little to ease the pressure on Michael Carrick, now without a win in six games.
With Juventus boss Luciano Spalletti under mounting pressure following his side's embarrassing 3-0 home defeat to Lazio, United may need to move sooner rather than later in case the Italian giants pounce for Conte.
That chastening result left the Old Lady of Italian football eighth in Serie A, eight points off leaders Inter Milan. While United have reportedly made contact with Conte, who is believed to be interested in the role, Juve are also an option for the 57-year-old, who left Napoli in the summer.
There is a clamour among Juve fans and Italian media for Conte to be brought back to the club he managed between 2011 and 2014. Gazzetta said: "Even more than the Halloween-like standings; Juve are 8th, 8 points off the top, after just 7 games. Spalletti doesn't have the sense of resignation in his DNA. But yesterday, the Juventus world certainly fell asleep dreaming of Antonio Conte. "
Corriere dello Sport wrote: "Luciano Spalletti is starting to feel the pinch of a delicate and unpredictable situation. And who, above all, feels the echo of rumours about Antonio Conte creeping into the corridors of Continassa: face it, Lucio, if this is the way things are going, it will be the soundtrack to your hot autumn."
If Juventus do beat United to Conte, it would see history repeat itself. The former Chelsea boss was interested in the United job in 2021 amid Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's poor start to the season.
Luciano Spalletti
Luciano Spalletti is on the brink at Juventus(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
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Despite Conte being out of work, United kept faith with the Norwegian for a few more weeks before eventually sacking him. By then, however, Conte had taken charge at Spurs.
Conte recently gave an interview in which he said he can see his next job being with a fallen giant, with United and Juve both falling into that category. He told The Athletic: "There are many clubs that have somewhat lost sight of their history.
Antonio Conte manager of SSC Napoli gestures during the Serie A match between Napoli and Genoa at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona
Antonio Conte is ready to return to work(Image: Getty Images)
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"I'd like to go to one of these clubs to dust off that history and make it shine once more. Clubs where there's pressure, where, ultimately, you know full well that you're not going there just to take part, but to compete."
For now, Carrick and Spalletti remain in their posts. United visit Como in the Champions League on Wednesday, while Juve host Rennes in the Europa League on Thursday.
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