Manchester United manager Michael Carrick is under growing pressure after Tuesday’s Champions League defeat at Atletico Madrid. The European loss left his side with just two wins from nine matches across all competitions this season, and a reported approach from one Premier League winner has added to the speculation about his future.
The run has put Carrick’s position under major scrutiny, and United need a sharp turnaround 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. With Carrick’s future in doubt, attention has turned to who could replace him at Old Trafford.
Hurzeler backed for United job
United legend Paul Scholes has said 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 as a potential replacement for Carrick.
Hurzeler became the youngest manager in Premier League history when he was appointed Brighton boss at just 31 years old. The former St. Pauli coach has guided the Seagulls to back-to-back eighth-place Premier League finishes, fueling speculation that he is ready for a significant step up in ambition.
“He’s done great. He looks the real deal,” said Scholes on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast. “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 teammate could be contemplating “taking a few quid” in favor 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 close of last season. Conte, 57, 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 accomplishments in England, there remains some uncertainty for United surrounding Conte. His spells at both Chelsea and Tottenham ended sourly, and he may be better suited to joining between campaigns, when he can oversee a full pre-season program.
Still, reports from Italy suggest he would welcome the prospect of taking charge at Old Trafford. A sterner influence at the top may be precisely what is needed to unlock the full potential of this United squad.