Antonio Conte emerges as shock potential Manchester United manager

Manchester United hoped that appointing Michael Carrick permanently would finally bring some much-needed stability back to Old Trafford.

The former United midfielder earned the opportunity after replacing Ruben Amorim in January and guiding the club into the Champions League.

His work appeared to have restored belief around the team and convinced those in charge that he deserved a contract until June 2028.

However, the optimism created by last season has already begun to disappear.

United have collected just four points from their opening four Premier League fixtures, with Sunday’s Manchester derby defeat placing further scrutiny on Carrick and his players.

A new report now claims that the club are already considering who could replace the 45-year-old if results fail to improve.

According to Corriere della Sera, via Goal, former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has emerged as a shock contender for the United job.

The Italian is reportedly at the top of the club’s list of possible replacements, with senior figures at Old Trafford attracted by his proven record of delivering trophies.

Conte is currently available after leaving Napoli in May, having terminated his contract one year before it was due to expire.

However, the 57-year-old is not believed to be desperate to return to management and would only consider an offer from a major club capable of matching his ambitions.

United would certainly meet the first of those requirements, but whether the current project at Old Trafford would appeal to such a demanding manager is another question entirely.

Conte won the Premier League during his first season with Chelsea before lifting the FA Cup one year later. He has also enjoyed significant success in Italy, winning domestic titles with Juventus, Inter Milan and Napoli.

His confrontational personality and preference for experienced players could create concerns, although United might view those qualities differently if their poor start continues.

There has been no suggestion that Carrick’s dismissal is currently imminent, while removing him only months after handing him a long-term contract would represent another embarrassing reversal from the hierarchy.

For now, Conte appears to be an ambitious contingency option rather than Carrick’s immediate replacement.

However, the fact that possible successors are already being discussed shows how quickly the mood surrounding United’s season has changed.