Antonio Conte’s Man Utd lineup would almost certainly mean a back three, and most of the side that drew 4-4 with Aston Villa would have to learn new jobs. BBC Sport lists Conte among five names in its look at Carrick’s possible replacements and calls him a serial winner. Nothing is confirmed: United’s directors meet in Monaco on Wednesday and the club haven’t announced a decision.

Conte’s predicted Man Utd XI (3-4-2-1)

This is a prediction, not a leak. It starts from the side Carrick picked against Villa on 8 November, uses official Fantasy Premier League injury data, and applies the shape Napoli used in their win over Milan in April. The first possible game for a new head coach is Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday 22 November (16:30 UK).

What Conte’s Napoli looked like

Conte’s Napoli lined up in a 3-4-2-1 in their 1-0 win over AC Milan on 8 April 2026, according to Total Football Analysis: a back three of Juan Jesus, Buongiorno and Olivera, Lobotka and Anguissa in midfield, Spinazzola and Gutierrez as wing-backs, De Bruyne and McTominay as the two players between the lines, and Giovane up front. The same analysis says Napoli were inconsistent with vertical passes to follow Giovane’s movements in the first half and sometimes resorted to long passes that were not always rewarding.

That gives the template for United: three centre-backs, two wing-backs who provide all the width, two holding midfielders, two creators and one striker. Conte left Napoli this summer, a year after winning their fourth Serie A title, BBC Sport says, and has a 62.9% Premier League win rate (83 wins from 132) from his time at Chelsea and Tottenham.

Why the XI looks like this

Goalkeeper. Lammens is the only United keeper to have played a league minute this season, 900 in official Fantasy Premier League data. BBC Sport gave him 4 against Villa after the first two goals, but Darlow hasn’t played.

Back three. Yoro, Maguire and Heaven are the three who played centre-back in the Villa game. Maguire was a doubt before kick-off and went off at half-time, BBC Sport says, with Heaven replacing him. De Ligt was an unused substitute and has no league minutes, so Conte would be choosing between untested options. Conte’s job is easier with a settled back three, and United don’t have one.

Wing-backs. Dalot on the right and Dorgu on the left. Dalot was replaced by Dorgu on 66 minutes against Villa after fouling Alysson for the penalty, but Dorgu then assisted one goal and headed in the equaliser in the sixth minute of stoppage time and was BBC Sport’s best-rated United player with an 8. Mazraoui is the alternative on the right; BBC Sport said he is asked to push forward more than he seems to enjoy for United. With Shaw injured, Dorgu is the clear left-sided choice.

Midfield pair. Mainoo and Tielemans, who were both rated 6 by BBC Sport. Tielemans scored his first United goal against Villa and Mainoo’s chipped pass nearly found Amad. They would have to cover the space the wing-backs leave, which is the Lobotka and Anguissa job.

Two creators. Fernandes and Cunha play the De Bruyne and McTominay roles. Fernandes scored the first-half penalty and Cunha, whose run won it, was BBC Sport’s pick as United’s most dangerous attacker. Both rated 7.

Striker. Mbeumo, who started against Villa and was replaced by Zirkzee after 83 minutes. Zirkzee scored in stoppage time and is the choice if Conte wants a target man. Sesko is out with a shin injury.

Who misses out

Amad was rated 6 against Villa and drops to the bench because a 3-4-2-1 has no wide-forward place for him, unless Conte used him at wing-back. Mount and Lacey also lose starting places. Our view: the shape suits United’s stronger attackers, but the defence is the part of the squad it asks most of.

Our view: new managers rarely change the XI in their first week, and the club haven’t said when they will announce a decision. See also the Sesko injury update.

FAQ

Will Conte be the next Man Utd manager? Nothing is confirmed. BBC Sport lists him as one of five names, but United haven’t announced any decision on Carrick.

What formation does Conte use? In the 1-0 win over Milan on 8 April 2026, Napoli set up in a 3-4-2-1, according to Total Football Analysis.

Is Carrick being sacked? BBC Sport reports that Berrada and Wilcox are expected to recommend that he goes, with the meeting on Wednesday. It is reported, not confirmed.