Manchester United will be working on a 'succession plan' for life after Michael Carrick despite sticking by the manager for now, GIVEMESPORT understands.

The Red Devils legend hit the ground running when taking over from Ruben Amorim on an interim basis last term and was eventually offered the job permanently at Old Trafford. After a summer of investment, there were high hopes for the 2026/27 campaign at the Theatre of Dreams.

It's been a rocky start for Carrick and Man Utd, conceding a stoppage-time equaliser against ten-man Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, the latest blow to deal with.

Man Utd stance on tenure of Michael Carrick

Managers are afforded little time in the Premier League and speculation over just how long Carrick will last at United is already beginning to pick up. The Red Devils sit a lowly 13th after six matches this season and face a big week ahead.

Carrick's side go up against Atletico in the Champions League on Tuesday night before travelling to a dangerous Leeds United at the weekend. Unfavourable results in those two outings could prove troublesome for the Man Utd manager.

GMS senior football correspondent Jacobs backs widespread reports this week that Carrick will continue to be given time this season with results expected to pick up once new signings are fully bedded in.

He said: "There's obviously a key period again between now and the November international break.

Manchester United sources, every time I've asked them have backed Carrick and spoken of how they feel this season is going to pick up.

"They [feel they] are going to get going and they are going to find the same momentum that they had last campaign.

"There is an appreciation that either for the right prices or the right profiles they weren't able to really back Carrick in the position of left back in particular, but I suppose Manchester United would argue they couldn't get Lewis Hall and they didn't want to panic buy. And left wing Marcus Rashford didn't go, so it was a lot harder to invest in that area as well. And it's almost a rebuilding of chemistry now because the midfield revamp, which is so key to this system."

Jacobs went on to admit that, while Carrick has the backing of the board for now, Man Utd would be working on a 'succession plan' just in case results do not turn around.

He added:

"Of course, all well-run clubs have a succession plan, so it's not to say that they won't be aware of the names that are available, and quite a lot of them are.

"You've got Julian Nagelsmann as a free agent, it's not impossible that Antonio Conte becomes a topic of conversation for whatever the next big Premier League vacancy is. You've got [Simone] Inzaghi and an assessment at the moment in Saudi Arabia as to whether he's going to stay or go.

"You have Kieran McKenna, who took a break from football. He was seen in the Manchester United box a few weeks ago. He's been part of previous processes, and I'm sure I've forgotten other names as well.

"So there's a fair amount of mid-season possibilities if Man United do make a change. But at the moment, the official club position, if you like, is that they continue to back Carrick, and they believe that he can still turn things around."

Man Utd 'succession list' emerges

Julian Nagelsmann

Resigned from his role in charge of Germany after seeing the nation knocked out by Paraguay on penalties in the final 32 of the World Cup. The 39-year-old previously worked with Bundesliga juggernauts Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig.

Antonio Conte

A familiar face to the Premier League, Conte hasn't managed in the top flight since leaving Tottenham Hotspur in 2023. The 57-year-old's reigns are never boring and the manager is available having left Napoli by mutual consent at the end of last season.

Simone Inzaghi

The former Lazio striker is currently in charge of Saudi outfit Al Hilal, working with the likes of Darwin Nunez, Ollie Watkins and Gabriel Martinelli. Is yet to manage in the Premier League, but previously won the Serie A with Inter in 2024.

Kieran McKenna

Available to work after making the surprise decision to leave Ipswich Town following their promotion to the Premier League last season. The 40-year-old has been prioritising a break from football, and it remains to be seen whether he would be willing to return to the dugout so soon.