Manchester United consider managerial options as Carrick's future hangs in balance
With United sitting 18th after ten league games, directors will meet in Monaco to decide whether to retain Michael Carrick or appoint a new head coach.
Manchester United have recorded only one win in their first ten Premier League matches, leaving them 18th in the table and just one point above bottom-placed Crystal Palace. Club directors are scheduled to convene in Monaco on Wednesday to review the future of 45-year-old head coach Michael Carrick, whose 10-month tenure is under intense scrutiny.
If Carrick departs, the Red Devils would be appointing their eighth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement 13 years ago, matching the total number of changes made over the previous 68 years dating back to Sir Matt Busby’s appointment in 1945.
BBC Sport outlines several high-profile candidates who could replace Carrick. Former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino, 54, is noted for his league title in France and his recent contract with the United States national team, though a reported $10 million buyout clause could complicate a move.
German coach Julian Nagelsmann, 39, who led Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich, is praised for his tactical acumen despite a mixed recent record with the German national side.
Eddie Howe, 48, who guided Bournemouth to the Premier League and secured a League Cup with Newcastle, is mentioned as a low-cost option, with Newcastle likely to receive modest compensation.
Italian manager Antonio Conte, 57, a multiple-title winner in Serie A and former Chelsea and Tottenham boss, is described as a strong candidate, though his reputation for clashes with clubs could be a concern.
The article also notes Carrick’s own statistics: after taking over in January, he posted the most wins and points of any Premier League manager for the remainder of the 2025-26 season, but United have managed only three victories in 15 matches across all competitions this term. The team’s recent performances have shown resilience, including comebacks against Roma and a 4-4 draw with Aston Villa, yet the overall record places United in the relegation zone for the first time in 40 years.