Unai Emery and Julian Nagelsmann are among the leading options to succeed Michael Carrick as Manchester United head coach if the board chooses to make a change following the club’s worst opening to a season since 1986.
Carrick is likely to remain in charge for Sunday’s home match against Bournemouth and is scheduled to speak to the media on Friday. However, the 45-year-old is under increasing pressure after recording only two victories in 11 matches this season.
United’s 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como on Wednesday has intensified discussions about Carrick’s future. Both Emery and Nagelsmann are understood to have support among senior figures at the club.
Emery’s contract with Aston Villa runs until 2029, while Nagelsmann is currently available after stepping down as Germany manager following the national team’s last-32 World Cup elimination during the summer.
Emery has earned widespread praise since joining Villa in 2022. Last season, he led the club to Europa League glory, securing its first major trophy since 1996, and guided the team to fourth place, one position behind United.
However, Emery reportedly receives an annual salary of between £10m and £12m, meaning the compensation required to release him from Villa could complicate any move. He has previously won trophies with Sevilla, Paris Saint-Germain and Villarreal, although his time at Arsenal was less successful.
Nagelsmann has previously coached Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich. He won the Bundesliga with Bayern in 2022 before being dismissed in March 2023 and is highly rated by United recruitment chief Christopher Vivell.
The 39-year-old took Germany to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, where the team lost to eventual champions Spain. Nagelsmann would reportedly be receptive if United contacted him about the role.
Antonio Conte, Eddie Howe and Kieran McKenna could also enter consideration. All three are currently available after leaving Napoli, Newcastle and Ipswich respectively. Fabian Hürzeler, meanwhile, is believed to have no intention of departing Brighton at present.
The club’s 32-year-old midfielder is not expected to receive disciplinary action after publicly questioning Carrick’s tactical decisions following Wednesday’s heavy loss at Como.
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