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Manchester United have endured their worst start to a top-flight campaign since the 1986-87 season, securing only one victory in their opening 10 Premier League matches. Sitting 18th in the table and one point above the bottom club, club directors are scheduled to meet in Monaco on Wednesday to discuss Michael Carrick’s future as head coach.
Should the 45-year-old former player depart, it would mark the eighth permanent boss for the Red Devils since Sir Alex Ferguson retired 13 years ago. BBC Sport evaluates the leading candidates who could potentially step into the Old Trafford hot seat.
Mauricio Pochettino
Pochettino, 54, has long been on Manchester United’s radar, with interest dating back a decade. During his time at Tottenham, he shaped their strongest generation of the modern era, finishing second and third in the league while reaching the Champions League and League Cup finals. He later won a league title with Paris St-Germain and managed Chelsea to a 2024 League Cup final defeat. Currently managing the USA national team after leading them to the World Cup last 16, he is tied to a contract until the 2030 tournament. However, he has consistently expressed that he has unfinished business in the Premier League. His contract includes a reported buyout clause worth $10 million (£7.44m), alongside clauses permitting him to leave for specific high-profile positions.
Julian Nagelsmann
Nagelsmann first gained prominence at Hoffenheim by becoming the youngest head coach in Bundesliga history at age 28, guiding them from relegation trouble into the Champions League. He subsequently led RB Leipzig to a Champions League semi-final in 2020 before taking charge of Bayern Munich, where he won the Bundesliga in his first season. After parting ways with Bayern, he managed the Germany national team until stepping down in the summer following the World Cup. At only 39 years old, the German remains widely regarded as one of Europe’s top coaches, and Manchester United’s director of recruitment Christopher Vivell is already well-acquainted with him from their time together at RB Leipzig.
Eddie Howe
Howe built an impressive reputation in English football by steering Bournemouth into the top flight for the first time in their history and later etching his name into Newcastle folklore. He delivered Newcastle’s first major domestic trophy since the 1955 FA Cup by winning the League Cup final against Liverpool, while also securing two top-five finishes to return the club to the Champions League after a 20-year absence. The 48-year-old left Newcastle in the summer following a 12th-placed finish last term, meaning compensation costs for the Old Trafford club would be relatively small.
Antonio Conte
A proven winner across Europe, Conte’s managerial credentials feature five Serie A titles—including three at Juventus, one at Inter Milan, and one at Napoli, whom he left of his own accord this summer 12 months after securing their fourth top-flight title—as well as a Premier League title and FA Cup with Chelsea. While the 57-year-old Italian would appear to be a straightforward choice, his fiery temperament and history of club departures could raise concerns. His previous English stint ended contentiously at Tottenham in 2023 following criticism of players and club culture, and he similarly clashed with players and boards during his successful tenure at Chelsea.
Unai Emery
The Spaniard’s managerial stock is at an all-time high following a remarkable tenure at Aston Villa since taking over in October 2022. Emery guided the club into the European Cup and Champions League for the first time in 41 years before ending their 30-year wait for silverware by winning last season’s Europa League. Despite losing key players over the summer, the 55-year-old is rebuilding his squad, and the likelihood of him moving to United appears remote as he is expected to sign a new contract with Villa.
Michael Carrick
Despite winning five Premier League titles and the Champions League as a player for the club, Carrick is fighting to retain his position. Following a brilliant initial period after taking charge in January, his team has struggled immensely this term with only three wins from 15 matches across all competitions. Although recent fixtures demonstrated resilience through comebacks against Roma and a 4-4 draw with Aston Villa, the overall statistics remain damning for the club, which sits in the relegation zone after going eight Premier League matches without a victory for only the second time in its history.
United directors will finalize their decision regarding Carrick’s leadership during Wednesday’s meeting in Monaco.
