Antonio Conte has been named as a potential successor to Michael Carrick, should Manchester United decide to part ways with their current head coach in the near future

Manchester United could have first refusal on Antonio Conte in the event that they part ways with Michael Carrick, despite the Italian being linked with a role with Juventus. The Italian head coach was most-recently at the helm of Napoli, although he parted ways with the club at the end of 2025/26 on mutual terms.

As a result, Conte remains a free agent, with a number of clubs - including United - thought to be taking a good look at him as they weigh up their options. While Luciano Spalletti is currently at the reins of Juve, the 67-year-old has come under scrutiny as of recent for poor results in Serie A.

The Old Lady sit eighth in the league table after nine matches, seeing just four wins in Italy's top division thus far. While Conte has been linked with taking up tenure at the Allianz Stadium in the event of Spalletti being moved on, it is understood that Juventus favour Didier Deschamps.

Reports from La Stampa suggest that the club have been in contact with Deschamps, who left his role as manager of the France national team following a fourth-place finish at the World Cup this summer, failing to replicate his nation's win at the tournament eight years ago. It is also understood that the Bayonne-born tactician is ready to return to work and has communicated with Juve through intermediaries.

La Republicca, meanwhile, claim that Conte would also rather hold out for a role with Manchester United, as Carrick finds himself under growing pressure at Old Trafford. The 57-year-old has proven that he can handle himself in the English top flight, guiding Chelsea to a Premier League title in 2015/16.

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He also led the west London club to an FA Cup the following season, before his departure the following month as a result of a fifth-place finish in the league. Conte also coached Tottenham Hotspur between 2021 and 2023, albeit, taking no silverware from his time in north London.

It comes as Conte was recently forced to downplay speculation linking him with a move to United. In a statement shared on social media, he said: "My name has been linked with numerous clubs, but there are currently no negotiations at an advanced stage.

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"I have read reports of financial demands and requests for full control that I have supposedly already made to the clubs mentioned, as well as reservations about what has been described as my 'strong personality.' These reports are unfounded.

"Should a concrete opportunity arise, that will be the time to hold discussions with the club concerned and jointly consider the terms of a potential agreement, with due regard for both parties' needs and the qualities and approach that define my work as a manager."

Carrick has found himself under increasing scrutiny at the Theatre of Dreams over the past couple of weeks as a result of a poor start to the new season. At the time of writing, United sit 16th in the Premier League standings, having won just one of their first eight matches.

It's a similar story in the Champions League for the Reds, cruising to a 4-0 win over Sabah in their first match of the tournament before suffering defeat to Atletico Madrid and Como. A result against Chelsea on Saturday afternoon could ease pressure on Carrick, but another defeat could prove disastrous.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is expected to watch the 12.30pm kick-off at Stamford Bridge in-person, only adding to the tension. United have also proven historically that they have no issue sacking underperforming head coaches midway through the season, as Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim know all about.