Man Utd will not appoint either Cesc Fabregas or Antonio Conte as a replacement for Michael Carrick, according to journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

Speaking to Betarades.gr, Di Marzio said that the Red Devils are leaning towards recruiting an “English manager like Eddie Howe” who has a great deal of Premier League experience:

“It is impossible that Cesc Fabregas can leave Como to join Man Utd during the season. At the end of the season, we don’t know, but at the moment there is no chance he can leave Como.”

“Man Utd still have to decide what they want to do, because they haven’t made that decision yet, whether they want to change the manager or not…”

“Antonio Conte is obviously one of the names that has been linked with Man Utd, but I think it is very unlikely that Antonio Conte can become the new Man Utd manager. They are not convinced that getting an Italian manager is a good decision, especially a guy like Conte who is very tough.”

“There have been a few talks with Conte’s agent, but at the moment it is just very unlikely. So, I think, if they change, they will decide to get an English manager like Eddie Howe.”

Is anyone else in the running for the Man Utd job?

It is believed that Head of Recruitment Christopher Vivell is advocating for Julian Nagelsmann to be considered, having worked with him at RB Leipzig.

However, Director of Football Jason Wilcox is reportedly backing the appointment of Howe, and he is said to have more sway over INEOS owner Jim Ratcliffe.

Would Howe be open to taking the position?

The BBC confirmed on Thursday that the 48-year-old would be willing to talk with the Red Devils about the job.

It has been claimed that Howe wanted to take a break from football, having departed Newcastle just before the start of the season, but he may be lured back by the prospect of taking over at Old Trafford.