Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick.
Manchester United might have to battle against Juventus to appoint Antonio Conte should they sack Michael Carrick.
That's the impression of Italian football journalist Daniele Fisichella as Carrick remains up against at in the Old Trafford gig.
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick.3
Carrick is facing the sack at United just five months after taking the job full-time as United maintained their winless run against Leeds
United drew 1-1 away to rivals Leeds United on Sunday and confirmed their worst start to a season since the 1986/87 campaign.
They have one win from seven Premier League matches, are 13th on just seven points and closer to relegation than the top four.
Carrick landed the permanent head coach job in the summer after he secured Champions League qualification by finishing third during the second half of last season.
But with no victories in their last six across all competitions, the ex-midfielder faces increased pressure to generate some winning form.
talkSPORT understands Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler is an option to potentially succeed Carrick, whilst the former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Conte would be prepared to take the job.
However, Fisichella has warned that the Italian's local club Juventus may stand in United's way if they decide to dismiss Luciano Spalletti.
United vs Juve for Conte
"I think if Manchester United comes knocking, Conte would feel ready to take on the challenge," he said on Trans Europe Express. "Although, I do feel that his favourite solution would still be Juventus.
"Following tonight's result (3-0 defeat against Lazio), maybe he's a step closer to going back to Turin, or staying in Turin because that's where he lives and likes to live.
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"But, after leaving Spurs a couple of years ago, the family circumstances, his personal circumstances have changed - his family would be more ready for him to move back to England again.
"He really likes to stay close to his family, but now his daughter has grown and going to university, there is not such a need for him to stay in Italy.
Antonio Conte as Napoli head coach.3
Conte would be willing to take the reins at United, but his former club Juventus could stand in their way
"He's got very strong family ties but he also feels that, by going back to England, it's the place where he would be more likely to win a Champions League anytime soon, rather than in Italy.
"That's what he really needs to do to complete his career. So, if Manchester United come asking, I think he would feel ready to do that, and I think it would be a brilliant appointment for United.
"A short-term one, no doubt about it, but a quick fix, a good fix for a team that's underperforming."
Conte success at Juventus and beyond
A former midfielder, Conte made over 400 appearances for Juventus, won five Serie A titles and the 1995/96 Champions League.
He remained in Italy to begin his coaching career and returned to The Old Lady in 2011 for a spell as their head coach, during which he won three consecutive Serie A honours until 2014.
Conte also delivered two Supercoppa Italiana triumphs before leaving to take charge of the Italian national team.
Antonio Conte as Juventus head coach.3
Conte has won six top flight league titles during his managerial career, three of which have come at Juventus
An appointment at Chelsea followed in 2016 and he won the Premier League in the first of two seasons at the club, and then Inter Milan brought him back to Italy.
Yet another Serie A title was lifted at San Siro, although Conte then had a difficult one-and-a-half year stint at Spurs.
Napoli are the 57-year-old's most recent club, where he won a tenth Serie A title of his playing and managerial career.