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Manchester United boss Michael Carrick faces mounting pressure at Old Trafford and may be fighting to keep his position.
A dismal start to the campaign has prompted United to weigh their options in the dugout, but according to the Daily Mail, there is considerable internal friction surrounding these discussions, with key figures split over the club's next course of action.
Technical director Jason Wilcox, who was recently on the receiving end of Lisandro Martínez's public outburst, is reportedly at loggerheads with recruitment chief Christopher Vivell, with the two powerful figures backing different managerial targets should Carrick be shown the door — a decision that remains far from certain.
United have compiled a shortlist reportedly containing six names, though there is an acknowledgment that several are likely out of reach, narrowing the realistic options should the club opt for a change.
Fabian Hürzeler
Fabian Hürzeler's name surfaced early in the discussion around United's struggles, and given his impressive start to the season at Brighton & Hove Albion, it is easy to understand the interest.
Some reports have gone so far as to identify Hürzeler as United's primary target, though the enthusiasm tends to fade quickly. Not only are there doubts about whether he would accept the role, but The Telegraph recently reported that it would take a "world-record fee" to persuade the Seagulls to release him from his contract.
Given that Julian Nagelsmann's move to Bayern Munich in April 2021 cost around $29 million, United would need to spend significantly more to land Hürzeler. Optimism, unsurprisingly, remains low.
Antonio Conte
Much like Hürzeler, Antonio Conte was one of the earliest names floated as a potential successor to Carrick. Several Italian outlets moved quickly, labeling him the top target and claiming negotiations were already in motion. Conte has publicly dismissed such contact for now, but remains broadly open to exploring his next opportunity.
He is still widely regarded as a genuine contender. The former Napoli manager is said to be attracted to the role and, unlike Hürzeler, is available to take charge straight away as he is currently without a club.
The Athletic highlight potential concerns regarding Conte's combustible management style and the risk of high-profile controversies, though many supporters are hoping for someone with his authoritative approach to come in and sort out any issues behind the scenes.
Kieran McKenna
Speculation linking Kieran McKenna to the role has been circulating for months without gaining much traction.
First mentioned as a candidate back in September, McKenna shares a similar background to Carrick. He spent five years in various capacities at Old Trafford, including as a scout, U-18 manager, and assistant to Ole Gunnar Solskjær in the same coaching setup as the current manager. He earned considerable respect during his time with the first team before going on to make a strong impression during his five-year spell at Ipswich Town.
McKenna has been available since the summer, having unexpectedly stepped down from Ipswich after steering the club back to the Premier League, and is another option who could take over without delay. Whether United would be willing to replace Carrick with another relatively inexperienced figure from within the club's orbit remains a matter of debate.
Eddie Howe
United have a complicated history with Eddie Howe, who was championed as a candidate by former sporting director Dan Ashworth when Erik ten Hag was dismissed in 2024. Sir Jim Ratcliffe preferred Ruben Amorim, and Ashworth departed shortly afterwards.
It is now believed that Wilcox, who is spearheading the search for potential candidates, favors Howe and those who already have a proven track record in the Premier League. He is not alone in his appreciation for Howe, who has featured in the conversation for almost every top managerial vacancy over the past decade following his impressive work at both Bournemouth and Newcastle United.
The risk with Howe lies in the fact that he has yet to test himself at a club carrying the weight of expectation that comes with managing at Old Trafford. He has taken Newcastle into the Champions League, but the Manchester United machine is a different beast entirely in English football. The question remains: is he ready?
Julian Nagelsmann
While Howe has yet to operate at the very highest level, Julian Nagelsmann is well acquainted with it. He progressed through the ranks from Hoffenheim to RB Leipzig and ultimately Bayern Munich. That elite-level pedigree is believed to be a key factor for United recruitment chief Vivell, who worked alongside Nagelsmann at Leipzig and has long sought to reunite with him, including during his time at former club Chelsea.
United explored the possibility of appointing Nagelsmann in May, prior to Carrick being handed a permanent deal, and those links have recently re-emerged. Reports have described Nagelsmann as a "leading candidate" to succeed Carrick, though it should be noted that Vivell reports to Wilcox, not the reverse.
At just 39 years of age, Nagelsmann remains one of the most compelling young coaches in world football, and his current availability following his resignation from the Germany national team role works in his favor.
Unai Emery
Amid the desire for a manager with strong familiarity with English football, reports have put forward Aston Villa's Unai Emery as a potential candidate, with some even suggesting he tops the wish list.
Emery finds himself in a comparable situation to Hürzeler, however. His Premier League credentials are outstanding — four exceptional seasons at Villa, with two Champions League qualifications to his name — but the financial outlay required could derail any potential move. He is contracted until 2029, and the compensation fee would likely be record-breaking.
There are also questions surrounding the level of control Emery would expect in a structure that prefers the "head coach" title over "manager." Navigating those demands would likely prove too complex to make the appointment viable.