Unai Emery and Julian Nagelsmann have emerged as primary candidates to take over at Manchester United should the club decide to dismiss Michael Carrick. United are enduring their worst opening to a campaign since 1986, having secured only two victories across 11 matches in all competitions this season.
Pressure escalated sharply on the 45-year-old manager following Wednesday’s embarrassing 4-1 defeat away to Como in the Champions League. Despite his fragile position, Carrick is anticipated to remain in charge for Sunday’s Premier League fixture against Bournemouth and is scheduled to conduct his pre-match press conference on Friday. Wednesday’s 4-1 humiliation at Como in the Champions League has focused attention at United on a potential candidate to succeed Carrick should he be removed.
Both Emery and Nagelsmann enjoy strong support among members of the Old Trafford board. Emery, currently contracted to Aston Villa through 2029, has assembled an impressive record in the Midlands since arriving in 2022. He guided Villa to a fourth-place finish last term—just behind United—and secured the Europa League, marking the club’s first major silverware since 1996. The Spaniard also boasts trophy-laden stints at Sevilla, Paris Saint-Germain, and Villarreal, alongside an earlier tenure at Arsenal. However, securing his services could prove costly, as Emery earns between £10m and £12m annually, creating a substantial compensation barrier.
Nagelsmann is currently without a team after stepping down as Germany’s head coach following their exit in the last 32 of the recent summer World Cup. The 39-year-old previously managed Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig, and Bayern Munich—where he claimed the 2022 Bundesliga title prior to his departure in March 2023—and led Germany to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals before losing to eventual champions Spain. Highly rated by United’s head of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, Nagelsmann is believed to be open to an approach from the English club.
United are also keeping track of other out-of-work managers, including Antonio Conte, Eddie Howe, and Kieran McKenna, following their respective departures from Napoli, Newcastle, and Ipswich. Conversely, Brighton boss Fabian Hürzeler is understood to have no intention of leaving his current post at this time.
Off the pitch, United captain Bruno Fernandes was targeted in a residential break-in while traveling with the squad in Italy. The 32-year-old midfielder’s family was not at the property when intruders broke in, and the suspects fled in less than five minutes as police arrived on scene. The club stated it is providing full support to Fernandes and his family during this difficult time while requesting privacy on their behalf.
Fernandes is not expected to face internal punishment despite publicly criticizing Carrick’s tactical setup following the midweek loss in Como.
