According to a report by Manchester Evening News on Monday, November 2, 2026, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery remains a leading candidate to replace Michael Carrick at Manchester United, although two major obstacles could complicate the club's efforts to bring the Spaniard to Old Trafford.

Emery is highly regarded across European football because of his impressive managerial record, having won five Europa League titles with Sevilla, Villarreal and Aston Villa.

The Spanish tactician famously led Villarreal to victory over Manchester United in the 2021 Europa League final. After both teams played out a 1-1 draw, Villarreal secured an 11-10 victory in the penalty shootout against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.

His achievements also include winning the Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain and guiding Valencia to three consecutive third-place finishes in La Liga.

Since taking charge of Aston Villa in October 2022, Emery has transformed the club's fortunes, establishing them as a competitive force in European football before securing another Europa League title in May.

The 54-year-old's tactical intelligence, organisational skills and counterattacking approach have reportedly made him an attractive option for Manchester United's hierarchy as they assess their managerial situation.

The Red Devils are enduring a disappointing campaign, having recorded just two victories in their opening 13 matches across all competitions. Their latest setback was a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea, which extended their winless run to nine consecutive games.

Martinez's dismissal further worsened United's situation, with the club dropping to 17th in the Premier League table and leaving Carrick under increasing pressure.

Fabrizio Romano had previously revealed that several influential figures at Manchester United consider Emery a strong candidate for the managerial position. However, fresh information suggests that persuading him to leave Aston Villa could prove difficult.

Dean Jones of Tribal Football has identified two major reasons why a potential appointment may not be straightforward.

The first obstacle is Aston Villa's determination to retain their manager. The club are reportedly unwilling to allow Emery to leave easily, with the Spaniard under contract until 2029 and his agreement said to contain no straightforward release clause.

The second concern involves Emery's reported reservations about Manchester United's structure behind the scenes. He is believed to want greater control over football-related decisions and fears that senior executives could interfere with his responsibilities.

The Spaniard is also reportedly unconvinced by the progress United have made, particularly given the significant financial investment the club have made in recruiting players.

With these complications, Manchester United could consider alternative managerial targets, including Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte, who may be easier to attract.

According to Jones, the club could make a major decision about Carrick's future during the November international break before attempting to appoint a successor ahead of their important Premier League meeting with Liverpool at Anfield.