As the pressure mounts on Michael Carrick's shoulders, the likes of Unai Emery are being linked with moves to Manchester United

Manchester United may be forced to pay a huge compensation package if they were to appoint Aston Villa manager Unai Emery. The Spaniard is one of the main candidates to replace Michael Carrick, should the Reds' boss depart.

At present, the MEN understands Carrick will remain in charge for this weekend's fixture against Bournemouth. But the pressure is on the ex-Reds midfielder after the chastening 4-1 away loss to Como in the Champions League.

United's run of just two wins in 11 matches is their worst start to a season since 1986, and the shocking post-match criticism of Carrick from Bruno Fernandes suggests there is friction in the dressing room. Talks about potential successors have been held, with Emery one of several bosses appreciated.

Make sure you never miss the latest Manchester United news and opinion by making Manchester Evening News one of your Google preferred sources

However, a move for him could cost United a siginificant amount of money. That's because the former Arsenal manager is understood to be earning between £10m and £12m per-year at Villa Park. He is also under contract until 2029, which puts the Midlanders in a strong position to negotiate a large compensation package.

The most lucrative sum ever paid for a manager remains the £21.5m Chelsea forked out to Brighton and Hove Albion to bring Graham Potter and his staff to Stamford Bridge. United would have to either come close or even surpass this figure if they want to prise Emery out of Villa Park.

There are other managerial options that would be cheaper and easier to bring in than last season's Europa League winner. According to the Guardian, ex-Bayern Munich and Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann is another leading target for the Old Trafford hotseat.

He is a free agent, having parted ways with Germany after their shock World Cup round-of-32 exit to Paraguay. However, Nagelsmann is still regarded highly in Europe, particularly by United's director of recruitment, Christoph Vivell, who worked with him at RB Leipzig.

Furthermore, former Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is also a free agent, as is Premier League winner and ex-Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, who has been linked with United in the past.

Kieran McKenna is also available, having been mentioned as a candidate in 2024 when he was still Ipswich Town manager. He is still well respected at United for his work as under-18s manager between 2016 and 2018 and as assistant coach between 2018 and 2021.

But at present, Carrick remains in the post and will be in charge when United host Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday. When asked if he feels his role is under pressure, he said: "It's not about me right now, and my feelings in that regard.

"It's more of as a team and as a football club, what we want to look like, what we should look like. The results can come and go at times, but you've got to do it in a certain way. And that wasn't it."

United then have an away clash against Chelsea, a home battle with Roma in the Champions League and another game against Villa at the Theatre of Dreams before the international break.