Football Insider exclusive as Aston Villa manager Unai Emery points towards Man United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who watches from a circular inset.
Football Insider exclusive as Aston Villa manager Unai Emery points towards Man United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who watches from a circular inset.
The Red Devils are long-term admirers of the Spaniard and feel that he has done an "outstanding" job at Villa Park, given the club's SCR issues.
Carrick is under huge pressure at Old Trafford after a series of damaging defeats, and the United board are assessing their options for a potential change.
Emery is towards the top of the list of potential replacements, but sources say that it would require significant compensation to prise him away from Villa.
The 54-year-old is under contract until the summer of 2029, and the security of that contract is set to make it "difficult" for United to land him.
Emery led Villa to the Europa League title last term and a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League, but is expected to remain out of reach for United.
Man United subscribe to elite Unai Emery reputation
Emery's work at Aston Villa has cemented his reputation as one of the leading managers in world football at the moment.
The former Arsenal chief has retained his status as a European specialist, but has also continually proven that he has what it takes to help a team punch above their weight in the Premier League.
He has already begun to turn around Villa's shaky start to the season once again, with his team having now won seven of their last nine games in all competitions.
United are firm admirers of Emery's work throughout his career, but are unlikely to be prepared to splash out the kind of sums needed to bring him in.
Emery has been Villa's prized asset for years now, and the pay-out needed to release him from his contract will reflect that.
United's desire to appoint him is clear, but unless they are willing to make a serious commitment for him, he will pass them by again.
Next Man United manager will be well-backed
Former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson told Football Insider ethat United's next boss will be well-backed by the club hierarchy in the next few transfer windows.
The Old Trafford giants have been steadily reducing their wage bill in recent years, but the football finance expert believes they have now hit the stage where that will swing back in the other direction.
Borson expects the board to revert back to handing out significant contracts, and trying to sign "established" players in the transfer market.
That will be music to the ears of their next boss, especially considering the tight constraints that Carrick has been forced to work under.