Manchester United have reportedly made contact with former France manager Didier Deschamps as they assess possible successors to Michael Carrick, according to Football Transfers on Thursday, November 5, 2026. The approach, reported by French outlet Foot Mercato, was intended to discover whether the experienced coach would consider taking charge at Old Trafford.

United are reviewing their managerial options because Carrick’s position remains uncertain. The 45-year-old received some breathing space after his side recovered to defeat AS Roma 3-2 in the Champions League, but that result has not removed questions about his long-term future. The club are understood to be considering whether to delay a final decision until the forthcoming international break.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is believed to be among the leading candidates preferred by United’s hierarchy. However, the possibility of appointing the Spaniard appears increasingly complicated. If those contracts are completed, persuading him to leave could become considerably harder, prompting United to examine other possibilities.

Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte have also been mentioned in discussions about the vacancy. Deschamps has now joined that group after the reported approach, although his availability does not mean he is likely to accept the role.

The 58-year-old stepped down as France manager this summer after 14 years in charge. His tenure included victory at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and a place in the 2022 final in Qatar, where France lost to Argentina in a penalty shootout. France finished fourth at the most recent World Cup in North America, and Deschamps left international football with an extensive record at the highest level.

Although he has not managed a club in England, Deschamps has some previous experience of the country. He spent a season at Chelsea as a player around the turn of the millennium, but that connection may not be enough to make a return to English football attractive.

Foot Mercato reports that the Manchester United vacancy and Juventus’ managerial opening are not particularly appealing to him at present. Both clubs are facing difficult periods, and Deschamps is said to be cautious about taking charge of a team dealing with considerable instability. His reported reluctance suggests that United may have difficulty turning their interest into a concrete appointment.

Deschamps was also considered by Real Madrid during the summer and featured on the Spanish club’s shortlist before they opted to bring José Mourinho back. That interest indicates that he remains a respected name in the coaching market, even though he has yet to choose his next destination.

For now, Deschamps is reportedly spending time with his family and feels no urgency to resume work. The report also says the death of his mother during the World Cup made the period especially difficult on a personal level. He is therefore prepared to wait until the beginning of next season before deciding on another managerial challenge.

United’s enquiry consequently offers no guarantee of an agreement. While the club continue searching for a possible replacement for Carrick, Deschamps appears content to consider his options rather than rush into a demanding appointment. Their reported interest nevertheless underlines the seriousness of the search, particularly as Emery becomes harder to prise away from Villa.