Manchester United’s search for a new manager is accelerating as the club’s poor start to the season puts Michael Carrick’s future in doubt. Sources close to the club say that Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann are now high on the shortlist of candidates who could take over if Carrick is dismissed. Both managers are reportedly aware of the interest and are open to the possibility of joining the Red Devils.
The speculation follows a string of underwhelming results for United, which has struggled to find form since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013. With the club’s performance hovering below expectations, the board has reportedly begun to identify potential successors. Howe, who left Newcastle United in July after guiding the Magpies to a League Cup triumph in 2025 and two Champions League qualifications, is available and has expressed a willingness to return to management. Nagelsmann, who stepped down as Germany’s head coach after the World Cup, is also free and has a proven track record at the highest levels of European football, having led Bayern Munich to a Bundesliga title in 2022.
Other names have surfaced as possible candidates. Antonio Conte, who left Napoli in May and has previously won the Premier League with Chelsea, is reportedly interested in the role. Unai Emery, who steered Aston Villa to Europa League glory last season and Champions League qualification twice, is also admired by United’s hierarchy, though his contract runs until 2029, making a move unlikely. Brighton’s manager Fabian Hürzeler and former Arsenal midfielder‑turned‑coach Cesc Fàbregas have also been mentioned, but their availability and financial demands would pose significant challenges for the club.
If Carrick is sacked, United will be looking to appoint their eighth permanent manager since Ferguson’s departure. The club’s board appears keen to secure a high‑profile name with proven success in top competitions, and both Howe and Nagelsmann fit that profile. As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see whether the board will move forward with one of these candidates or continue to explore other options.