Antonio Conte is one of the managers linked with the Manchester United job
Manchester United's head coach Michael Carrick looks on during the UEFA Champions League, league phase football match between Manchester United and Roma at Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick has been under pressure at Manchester United(Image: OLI SCARFF, AFP via Getty Images)
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Michael Carrick has laughed off Sir Alex Ferguson comparisons as Manchester United have been told not to appoint Antonio Conte. The Italian is one of the names linked with the Old Trafford hot seat amid pressure on Carrick following a poor run of form.
Carrick was appointed on a permanent basis in the summer, but the side are currently on a run of seven league games without a win and sit in 17th place in the Premier League table. They are only out of the relegation zone on goal difference.
Former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Conte is keen on the United job, having left Napoli in the summer.
The pressure on Carrick eased somewhat following the midweek fightback against AS Roma in the Champions League. United recovered from 2-0 down to secure a 3-2 victory.
The result has prompted comparisons to the triumph over Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup third round in January 1990, which ultimately saved Sir Alex Ferguson's position. However, Carrick dismissed suggestions that history could be repeating itself.
"It's up to us to take it forward," he said. "As a one-off night, it was a fantastic night. I thought we played really, really well and deserved the game. It was nice to end like that. It was nice for the supporters to end like that and to have that feeling.
"Nothing's done yet. Nothing's achieved yet, and it's one moment in time that we need to use to move forward. But we need more of it, for sure."
Antonio Conte during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Udinese.
Antonio Conte has been linked with the Man United job(Image: Francesco Pecoraro, Getty Images)
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He is, though, not ruling out the prospect of replicating the achievements Ferguson enjoyed at Old Trafford after that victory. "It's not impossible," he added. "Anything's possible.
"You've got to build, you've got to be realistic. You've got to put things in perspective as well. The recent history that we've had and what we're trying to get to, it's not going to happen overnight.
"Success does take time, and we don't like having to spend time, but it does take a period of time to build. There are no shortcuts to it. In the end, that's where you get to, but it's definitely possible."
Amid the pressure on Carrick and the talk around Conte, former Premier League defender Gallas has issued a caution to United regarding a possible appointment. He instead believes attention should be on implementing alterations elsewhere at the club.
Speaking to SeatPick, he said: "I don't know if Antonio Conte can fix Manchester United because from what I understand now the players in that dressing room are completely different from the players 10, 15 or 20 years ago.
"If you bring in Antonio Conte, you know he has a big personality. You know he will ask his players to adapt to his system, but I don't know if the players at Manchester United can do this.
"It's a different generation. Now you have to adapt to the players at this club, not just the players adapting to you. It has to be a compromise. Before, it used to be that the players had to adapt to the manager. Nobody said anything. They had great results. Now life has changed."
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"A manager like Conte would have to understand that 'OK I have to adapt to this new generation, and if I do that, at the same time, I will need them to adapt to what I want from them,' and that's why you have to be sure about what you are going into. Manchester United also have to be sure about the manager they are bringing in because the message has to make sense and be understood by the players in the dressing room. Otherwise it will be the same problem again and again.
"Ultimately, the problem with United is the players that they've brought to the club because they aren't at the level to play for Manchester United. With all the respect I have for other clubs, Manchester United are not Coventry City. They are not Crystal Palace. We are talking about Manchester United.
"They should only be signing the best players to play for the club but time and time again they have made big mistakes. Antonio Conte cannot change that. No manager can. You have to look higher up at the club first."
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United are back in Premier League action on Sunday when they host Aston Villa at Old Trafford. Villa manager Unai Emery is another name said to be interesting United, but the midlands club won't let their boss go without a fight.