Julian Nagelsmann is reportedly receiving 'growing support' from the Manchester United hierarchy to replace Michael Carrick as the new head coach at Old Trafford.

Nagelsmann and Eddie Howe, who are both out of work after leaving Germany and Newcastle respectively in the summer, are reported to be the current frontrunners to replace Carrick as head coach.

United are now on a run of eight games without a win and, after Sunday's 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth, United chiefs have been deliberating whether to sack him and what they plan to do to replace him - the latter of which appears to be the key sticking point.

Julian Nagelsmann's Man Utd chances increasing

According to The Times' Paul Hirst, there is now a 'growing level of support' from figures at United for Nagelsmann to be the club's next head coach.

It has been reported that sporting director Jason Wilcox would prefer Premier League experience in the form of Howe, who was in charge of Bournemouth before his arrival at Newcastle. But head of recruitment Christopher Vivell is said to be more impressed by Nagelsmann and wants him to take over from Carrick instead.

Hirst adds that Howe is also 'in the frame' and would be interested in taking the United job if it is offered to him.

What Julian Nagelsmann has said about Man Utd

Speaking in October 2020, ahead of taking charge of RB Leipzig in a Champions League game against United at Old Trafford, Nagelsmann said he had fond memories of watching United growing up and said taking charge of a fixture at their stadium would be 'perfect'.

"I watched a lot of games in the Theatre of Dreams and of Manchester United on television. To be a part of the stadium will be perfect," he said. "I watched nearly every game of Manchester United 10 years ago, when I was a younger guy and player.

"Sir Alex Ferguson had a long and very successful time for Manchester United so it was also interesting to watch him, what he changed from one season to the next.

"I know there will be no fans [due to COVID-19 restrictions at the time] so that's hard. When there will be fans it will be more of a bigger experience."

Earlier in 2020, he told The Independent that he held interest in managing in the Premier League, though admitted he was aware it would be 'very tough'.

"The Premier League interests me, as do other clubs in the Bundesliga and La Liga, but I have to improve my Spanish first," he said.

"I know it's very tough in England. I've been reading the interviews of Klopp and Guardiola about the intense fixture schedule and the demands on players and staff."

He also noted that, if he was go to Real Madrid or Barcelona, that 'the fans, the media and the decision-makers don't give you the time to grow into that [role]'.

That particular comment could be significant when it comes to the United job, with fans desperate for the club to appoint an elite manager who can spearhead a project - something which Nagelsmann is clearly keen to do at his next job.

Journalist Ben Jacobs reported in April, when there was speculation over whether Carrick's interim head coach position would be made permanent, that Nagelsmann was interested in holding talks with United despite being in charge of Germany at the time.