Michael Carrick’s replacement will be…

After a disastrous start to the new season, Michael Carrick is on the brink of the sack at Manchester United.

Sky Sports reports that the Red Devils are expected to sack their head coach after a 40-year worst start to a league season, slumped down in 16th place.

Various outlets are repeating the same message. Just months after the club confirmed his permanent appointment, Carrick could formally depart in the coming hours.

It now means yet another new era for Manchester United, and a third INEOS head coach appointment in under three years.

The question is: who do they go with next?

Eddie Howe

Director of Football Jason Wilcox’s favoured choice to take the helm at Manchester United is reportedly former AFC Bournemouth and Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe, with the 55-year-old favouring a boss with Premier League experience to step in.

Howe could be an astute, yet scalable option for the job. He stepped in at Newcastle in 2021 with the Magpies 19th in the Premier League and five points adrift of safety – a similar position to Manchester United now.

The Englishman’s rescue job went brilliantly, leading the North East side to an 11th-place finish, before qualifying for the Champions League by finishing fourth a season after, and later won the Carabao Cup in 2025.

The idea of this appointment may not excite many Manchester United fans, but the 48-year-old would hugely improve them; Howe has already shown he can build on great first campaigns – something Michael Carrick has failed to do.

Julian Nagelsmann

While Jason Wilcox is a fan of a tried and tested Premier League boss, Director of Recruitment Christopher Vivell is reportedly gunning for an alternative option. That man is Julian Nagelsmann.

At just 39 years old, Julian Nagelsmann already has an impressive CV, and is a proven winner in Germany, winning the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich in 2021/22.

Following a controversial and widely-deemed as unfair sacking in Munich, Nagelsmann built on his strong repertoire by managing Germany’s national side.

The young coach stepped down following a Round of 32 exit at the 2026 World Cup, so would be another free agent option for United. Nagelsmann is probably one of the most exciting options out there, but could prove a risky choice with no Premier League experience.

United must get this selection right.

Antonio Conte

A bold but know-what-you-get option. Antonio Conte will guarantee improvement and lifted standards at Manchester United.

The 57-year-old has already managed Chelsea and Spurs, winning the title with Chelsea in 2016/17 and FA Cup a year later. However, he could not bring success to Tottenham, and left by mutual agreement in 2023 after a bizarre press conference in which he called his players “selfish”.

Conte will not be afraid to challenge the regime at Manchester United, which could scare Sir Jim Ratcliffe away from giving the go-ahead for this option.

Nevertheless, things would improve for a period.

Unai Emery

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is likely the best manager in the Premier League, and has consistently helped the Villans punch above their weight.

After a failed 18-month stint at Arsenal, the former PSG, Sevilla and Valencia boss went to Villarreal in 2020, where he won a Europa League during a two-year stint.

Emery has since added to his collection of Europa League trophies, this time in England last season, and has Aston Villa consistently competing at the top of the Premier League despite financial constraints caused by PSR rules in recent years.

It remains to be seen whether Emery is a gettable option, but could be one that will excite Manchester United fans.

Gareth Southgate

When Manchester United began their permanent manager search earlier in the year, former England boss Sir Gareth Southgate was regularly tipped as a potential option.

While he may not be a viable long-term choice, the 56-year-old would bring stability to a rocky climate – something he did for England in 2016.

Deeper issues lie to the manager at Old Trafford. Appointing Southgate could prove a sensible option while Sir Jim Ratcliffe looks to improve the state of Manchester United as a wider body.

However, it feels the least likely of the options on this list.

Howe or Nagelsmann, as fellow free agents, feel like the way Manchester United are most likely to go.

Both have their pros and cons, but should bring a new vibe to a club desperately in need of inspiration and guidance.