Manchester United manager Michael Carrick faces mounting pressure after Tuesday’s Champions League defeat at Atletico Madrid left his side with just two wins from nine matches across all competitions this season. One Premier League winner has reportedly approved of a move to Old Trafford, and attention has turned to who could replace Carrick.
The poor run has put Carrick’s position under major scrutiny, and United need a sharp reversal in results. Sunday’s trip to rivals Leeds now looms as a crucial fixture for the United chief, whose heroics last season are almost forgotten after more recent slip-ups.
United have already made their worst start to a league campaign in 40 years, and another setback would compound their troubles.
Hurzeler backed for United job
United legend Paul Scholes has declared Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler “looks the real deal” amid speculation linking him to Old Trafford. The German, who has already knocked United out of the EFL Cup this season, is considered one of several prominent candidates touted to replace Carrick.
Hurzeler became the youngest manager in Premier League history when Brighton appointed him at just 31 years old. The former St. Pauli coach has guided the Seagulls to back-to-back eighth-place Premier League finishes, which has fuelled speculation that he is ready for a significant step up.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, Scholes said: “He’s done great. He looks the real deal. But again, Man United is different.
“The scrutiny is on you every single week. If Brighton didn’t win a game for the next 10 games, nobody would really be that bothered.”
The 1999 Treble winner continued: “The one thing that someone like Hurzeler has got over Michael is that he’s done a body of work in the Premier League. Michael did okay in Middlesbrough with what he had. I think Middlesbrough were probably expecting more with the budget they had.”
Scholes even hinted that Carrick himself might consider walking away from his former club given the poor results. He suggested his old team-mate could be contemplating “taking a few quid” in favour of a fresh challenge.
Conte reportedly open to United
Free agent Antonio Conte would reportedly welcome the chance to take charge at United. Calciomercato reported that the former Italy coach “would accept” the job and is supposedly awaiting an approach as Carrick’s situation grows more precarious.
The former Chelsea boss, who won the Premier League title with the Blues in 2017, has been without a club since leaving Napoli at the end of last season. The 57-year-old secured the Serie A title in Naples in 2025 before reported tensions at the club led to his exit.
According to talkSPORT, Conte is among the leading candidates to step in should Carrick be dismissed. Former Germany and Bayern Munich head coach Julian Nagelsmann is the other prominent free agent currently available.
Despite his achievements in England, uncertainty surrounds a possible Conte move. His spells at both Chelsea and Tottenham ended sourly, and he may be better suited to joining between seasons, when he can oversee a full pre-season programme.
Still, reports from Italy suggest he would welcome the prospect of taking charge at Old Trafford. A firmer hand at the top may be exactly what this United squad needs to unlock its full potential.