Julian Nagelsmann has been linked with the Manchester United job but could end up quite far down on their shortlist due to one key factor

Manchester United chief Jason Wilcox reportedly wants four other candidates to be the club's next head coach over Julian Nagelsmann. The former Bayern Munich and Germany boss is out of work but Wilcox is keen to have a manager with Premier League experience if Michael Carrick is sacked.

Despite the shocking 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League on Wednesday, the 45-year-old remains as head coach and will take charge of this weekend's Premier League clash against Bournemouth. If United's winless run extends to eight games, that stance could change very quickly.

It is therefore perhaps no surprise that top-level coaches are being eyed up by United's hierarchy but there are a number of obstacles.

A disagreement over who may come in is one of those with United director of recruitment Christopher Vivell pushing for Nagelsmann but Wilcox would prefer any of Eddie Howe, Fabian Hurzeler, Unai Emery or Antonio Conte over him.

According to The Daily Mail, he wants someone that has managed in the Premier League before and those four names have all appeared on their shortlist. Nagelsmann, who would be open to the role, taking charge is not completely off the table despite Wilcox being Vivell's boss in the chain of command.

The latter was part of Chelsea's board when Nagelsmann was a contender for the vacancy at Stamford Bridge and his admiration for the 39-year-old remains.

A factor in Nagelsmann's favour is that he has been unemployed since the summer after being sacked by Germany which means United would not have to pay any compensation to appoint him. That also applies to Howe and Conte following their respective exits from Newcastle United and Napoli.

Brighton boss Hurzeler and Aston Villa head coach Emery would cost a significant amount to bring to Old Trafford which could complicate a possible pursuit of either.

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

Carrick has already gone up against Hurzeler this season with his Seagulls side coming from behind to knock United out of the Carabao Cup. Villa and Emery head north in early November for a Premier League clash but it remains to be seen if Carrick will still be in the dugout.

Following Sunday's fixture against Bournemouth, United head to Chelsea and host AS Roma in the Champions League. They have conceded inside the first few minutes of their last two European outings with Nico Paz given so much time to find space and fire into the corner on Wednesday.

An argument over United's tactics on the night later broke out between Bruno Fernandes and Michael Carrick which suggested all was not well in the dressing room.

The United captain told TNT Sport: "It's a decision from the staff to not press man to man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball, but sometimes when you give too much the ball to these teams they get confidence.

When asked directly if Carrick had got it wrong, he replied: "That's on the manager and staff to see it, not me. Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable."

Upon being informed of those comments, Carrick said: “We actually half-pressed man-to-man the second half and then conceded a goal from that.

"Whatever system you play, whatever tactics you play, if you don’t run, and you don’t run forward, and you don’t run back, you ain’t going to win."