Man-Utd-Champions-League-Sabah
Man United are running out of ways to explain their miserable start, and Michael Carrick is taking the strain.
Wednesday’s 4-1 defeat at Como has left the Old Trafford boss needing a major response, with United now without a win in their last seven matches.
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick arrives at the stadium ahead of the match
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick arrives at the stadium ahead of the match
Bruno Fernandes questioned the tactical approach in Italy, adding to the frustration after Lisandro Martínez had already criticised the club’s hierarchy following the loss to Atlético Madrid.
United host Bournemouth on Sunday, with Carrick under pressure to show that he can stop the slide.
Several possible replacements have already been linked as the scrutiny grows.
Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann
Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann
TalkSPORT says United have explored Julian Nagelsmann’s interest in succeeding Carrick, with Eddie Howe and even Unai Emery also named as alternatives in other reports.
Fabian Hürzeler has admirers inside United too, but the Brighton manager looks unlikely to provide an answer, and reports suggest the prospect of replacing Carrick holds no appeal for the Brighton head coach.
fabian-hurzeler-brighton
The German recently agreed a deal running until 2029, and the latest media noise suggests United would struggle to tempt him away from Brighton.
Antonio Conte, meanwhile, has people making his case.
Man United urged to hire Antonio Conte as Carrick faces mounting pressure
Antonio-Conte-Napoli
According to The Telegraph’s Jason Burt, representatives have been urging United to consider the former Chelsea and Tottenham manager.
However, the report indicates that Conte is not someone United are currently prioritising, with concerns over how he would work within the club’s chosen structure.
That is a significant obstacle for anyone hoping to see the Italian brought in to rescue United’s season, but the Italian's own stance appears more straightforward.
TalkSPORT have reported that Conte’s camp have informed United he is keen to replace Carrick, with the 57-year-old available since leaving Napoli at the end of last season.
Antonio Conte-Chelsea-2017
Antonio Conte-Chelsea-2017
There would certainly be plenty of winning experience on his CV.
Conte took Chelsea to the Premier League title in 2017 before beating United in the following year’s FA Cup final. His Tottenham spell ended in March 2023, while his time at Napoli brought another league title in 2025 and a second place finish last season.
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|Antonio Conte's managerial CV|
|Club|Years|Games|Wins|Draws|Losses|Win rate|Trophies won|
|---|
|Arezzo|2006–2007|27|9|10|8|33.33%|None|
|Bari|2007–2009|67|32|22|13|47.76%|Serie B: 2008/09|
|Atalanta|2009–2010|14|3|4|7|21.43%|None|
|Siena|2010–2011|44|22|14|8|50.00%|None|
|Juventus|2011–2014|151|102|34|15|67.55%|Serie A: 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14; Italian Super Cup: 2012, 2013|
|Chelsea|2016–2018|106|69|17|20|65.09%|Premier League: 2016/17; FA Cup: 2017/18|
|Inter Milan|2019–2021|102|64|23|15|62.75%|Serie A: 2020/21|
|Tottenham|2021–2023|76|41|12|23|53.95%|None|
|Napoli|2024–2026|91|52|22|17|57.14%|Serie A: 2024/25; Italian Super Cup: 2025|
|Total||678|394|158|126|58.11%|11 trophies, including Super Cups and Serie B|
That record could make him attractive to supporters desperate to see United competing for major silverware again.
Former United winger Ashley Young has also questioned whether Conte would be a good fit, highlighting his demanding management style and concerns about the team’s running.
Ashley-Young-Everton
Young played for him at Inter and has direct experience of the expectations he places on his players in training. For the decision makers, however, the issue goes beyond finding a manager with trophies.
Any appointment would need to be aligned over recruitment and the way the football department generally operates, as well as sharing the same long-term vision.
Carrick still has his own opportunity to influence what happens next.
A convincing display against Bournemouth would offer some relief after another bruising European trip, although one result would only be the start of repairing the damage.