Autumn has settled over Manchester, and with it a familiar sense of unease around Old Trafford.

The Stretford End that roared so loudly in the spring has fallen noticeably quieter in recent weeks.

Every away day this season has seemed to bring fresh frustration.

The Champions League anthem was meant to feel like a homecoming, yet that glow faded almost as quickly as it arrived.

Inside Carrington, the mood is said to be tense, with every training session being picked over by those upstairs.

Julian Nagelsmann contacted by Manchester United

Manchester United have contacted Julian Nagelsmann as a potential replacement for Michael Carrick, as reported by talkSPORT.

The club are believed to have made contact to find out more about a managerial record spanning Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich and Germany.

That record includes 60 wins from 84 games at Bayern, where he won the 2021/22 Bundesliga title before being sacked in March 2023.

At Leipzig he reached a Champions League semi-final in 2020, and earlier he took Hoffenheim into the Champions League.

The 39-year-old is a free agent after stepping down as Germany boss this summer, and has admirers within the United hierarchy.

He was high in United’s thinking before Carrick was appointed permanently in May, but his Germany job and Carrick’s strong finish as interim meant talks never developed.

Carrick is now under immense pressure after Wednesday’s 4-1 thumping at Como, which left United without a win in seven games in all competitions.

Their last win came against Sabah on September 10, and they sit 13th with 7 points from 7 league games, their worst start since 1986-87.

Defeat at Atletico Madrid and a 1-1 draw at Leeds had already deepened the gloom before Como.

talkSPORT also understands Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler is seen as an option, with admirers at the club too.

Antonio Conte is prepared to take charge after leaving Napoli in June, and his representatives have told United he would be keen, although the club are yet to express interest.

Former Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is a free agent and understood to be a candidate who could get the job easily.

Howe was wanted by former sporting director Dan Ashworth, but minority owner Jim Ratcliffe pushed back.

With Bournemouth arriving at Old Trafford on Sunday, Carrick may not have long to turn things around.