Manchester United have made the worst start in the club’s history, collecting only seven points from their opening seven league matches. Speculation over Michael Carrick’s future is growing, with Antonio Conte, Julian Nagelsmann, Fabian Hurzeler and Eddie Howe among the possible replacements being considered.

Antonio Conte

Conte has reportedly indicated privately since leaving Napoli that he is waiting for a major project. Media reports claim the representatives of the Italian have already contacted Manchester United’s hierarchy to signal that he would be willing to take on the challenge.

The former Chelsea manager also has experience of rebuilding a struggling Tottenham Hotspur side. When he took charge, Spurs were ninth, but they finished the season in fourth and qualified for the Champions League.

Conte would be expected to deliver an immediate improvement, although his record of leaving clubs relatively quickly creates the possibility that United could soon be looking for another manager. The key question for the club is whether it prioritises short-term results or a longer-term project.

Julian Nagelsmann

Nagelsmann became Hoffenheim’s head coach at the age of 29 and, over the following 10 years, worked in both club football and with the Germany national team, although without major success.

He has been linked with Manchester United on several previous occasions, but a move has never materialised. Reports suggest sporting director Christopher Vivell is pushing for the German to be considered.

The appointment would carry significant risk. Nagelsmann is regarded as a strong tactician, but he has not always shown himself to be an especially effective psychologist. That was reflected in the number of controversies surrounding him at the 2026 World Cup.

United need a figure capable of uniting the club, and it is unclear whether Nagelsmann would be the right choice for that role.

Fabian Hurzeler

Hurzeler guided St. Pauli into the Bundesliga before accepting an offer from Brighton in summer 2024, aged 31. By August, he had been named manager of the month.

Brighton are currently third and have been praised for the quality of their football. Fabrizio Romano has reported that there are major admirers of Hurzeler on Manchester United’s board.

He has established a reputation as a flexible tactician who can also impose discipline while producing attractive football. However, his contract with Brighton runs until 2029, meaning United would first need to negotiate with the club if they chose to pursue him.

Eddie Howe

Howe is closely associated with Bournemouth, whom he led into the Premier League before overseeing several respectable seasons in the top flight.

He later took charge of Newcastle United when they were 19th and ultimately guided them to 11th place. After Saudi Arabian investors arrived, the club chose to retain Howe rather than appoint a more celebrated manager. He repaid that faith by taking Newcastle into the Champions League for the first time in many years.

Howe has shown that he can build a team and establish an attractive style. Newcastle’s most recent campaign was disappointing, but injuries and an exhausted squad made his task particularly difficult. At Manchester United, he could be given the opportunity to construct another major project.

Other names

Gareth Southgate was reportedly considered in April, but he showed no interest and is not seeking club employment after leaving the England job.

Kieran McKenna, a former Manchester United coach who won the northern division of the Premier League Under-18s, is impressing at Ipswich. His name continues to appear in the media, although he is unlikely to be appointed.

Mauricio Pochettino also retains supporters on the United board. There was reportedly a plan to wait until after the 2026 World Cup before attempting to persuade him to take charge, but convincing him to leave the United States national team would be difficult.