Manchester United may have to act quickly if they want to hire Julian Nagelsmann with another Champions League club reportedly interested in the German manager.

Nagelsmann is one of the top names linked with Old Trafford with Michael Carrick in danger of getting sacked just months after being given the United job on a permanent basis.

The Red Devils have won just two of their opening 11 games of the season across all competitions, with Bruno Fernandes publicly criticising Carrick’s tactics after Wednesday’s 4-1 defeat at Como.

Carrick will be in the dugout for Sunday’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth but another poor result could lead to his dismissal, with United’s hierarchy weighing up potential replacements.

The likes of Unai Emery and Eddie Howe are well liked at Old Trafford, while Fabian Hurzeler and Antonio Conte publicly distanced themselves from the job on Friday.

Reports suggest Nagelsmann would be a leading contender if Carrick were to be sacked and the former Bayern Munich boss would be interested in the role.

The 39-year-old has been out of work since resigning from the Germany national team in July following their disastrous World Cup campaign where they were knocked out in the round of 32 by Paraguay.

However, United are not the only club keeping an eye on Nagelsmann, with Sky Germany reporting that RB Leipzig are ‘strongly interested’ in their former manager.

Leipzig have had a mixed start to the season under new head coach Martin Demichelis, winning three and losing three Bundesliga games, most recently getting thrashed 6-1 by Bayern.

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Like United, they are struggling in the Champions League too, having suffered heavy defeats to Como and Real Madrid.

Nagelsmann spent two seasons with the Red Bull owned club, impressively reaching the Champions League semi-finals in his first season before finishing runner-up in the Bundesliga and German Cup the following campaign.

But while the chance to manage in the Premier League appeals to him, his former Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn has warned him against the Manchester United job.

‘From his perspective, it’s not an easy situation,’ the legendary former Germany and Bayern goalkeeper told Sky Germany.

‘He isn’t someone with extensive experience at the very highest level, particularly when it comes to foreign clubs. The Premier League and Manchester United haven’t exactly been known for their managerial stability in recent years.

‘He really has to ask himself: What should my next step be? Does it have to be the right move?

‘Or do I immediately tie myself to an enormous risk like Manchester United, where virtually every manager has sooner or later failed in recent years?’