Manchester United have identified Unai Emery and Julian Nagelsmann as the primary candidates to take over as head coach should the board opt to replace Michael Carrick. The club is currently enduring its most difficult start to a season since 1986, with the pressure on the 45-year-old manager intensifying following a 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como on Wednesday. Wednesday’s 4-1 humiliation at Como in the Champions League has focused attention at United on a potential candidate to succeed Carrick should he be removed.
Carrick remains in the dugout for Sunday’s home match against Bournemouth and is scheduled to address the media on Friday. However, his long-term position is precarious, given that the team has secured only two victories in 11 competitive appearances so far this term. Carrick is expected to remain in place for Sunday’s visit of Bournemouth – he is due to hold his pre-game media conference on Friday – but the 45-year-old’s job is in the balance after two wins from 11 games this season.
Emery, who is under contract at Aston Villa until 2029, has earned significant praise for his tenure in the Midlands, including a fourth-place finish last year and a Europa League title. However, United may face a financial hurdle in securing him, as his annual salary ranges between £10m and £12m, potentially complicating any compensation package. Last season winning the Europa League, the club’s first major trophy since 1996, and finishing fourth, one place behind United, emery has impressed since taking over Villa in 2022.
Conversely, Julian Nagelsmann is currently available after concluding his stint as Germany manager following their exit in the last-32 of the summer’s World Cup. The 39-year-old, who previously won the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich in 2022 and guided Germany to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, is highly regarded by United’s head of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, and is understood to be receptive to an approach. He has also won trophies with Sevilla, Paris Saint-Germain and Villarreal and had a less successful spell with Arsenal. Nagelsmann has managed Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich, with whom he won the Bundesliga in 2022 before being sacked in March 2023.
Other coaches currently out of work, including Antonio Conte, Eddie Howe, and Kieran McKenna, may also be considered by the club. Meanwhile, Brighton’s Fabian Hürzeler is reportedly not interested in leaving his current post at this stage. They are out of work after leaving jobs with Napoli, Newcastle and Ipswich respectively.
Off the pitch, United captain Bruno Fernandes is dealing with a distressing situation after his home was broken into during the team’s trip to Como. While his family was not present during the brief intrusion, the club has offered its full support and requested privacy for the midfielder.
Despite his public criticism of Carrick’s tactics following the Champions League loss, the 32-year-old Fernandes is not expected to face disciplinary action from the club.
