Manchester United manager Michael Carrick is battling desperately to keep hold of his job after a humiliating defeat against Como on Wednesday night.

The Red Devils travelled to Italy to take on Cesc Fabregas' side but fell to a crushing 4-1 defeat against the minnows, who were in Serie B just five seasons ago, to make it seven games without a win in all competitions and just two wins in 11 games this season.

The result and performance have seen Carrick's future called into huge doubt ahead of the weekend clash with Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, and it has now emerged that INEOS could be beginning to plan for life without him in the dugout.

According to a report by talkSPORT, Man Utd have now 'sounded out' former Bayern Munich and Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann as a potential replacement for the iconic midfielder.

Nagelsmann was considered by INEOS as a candidate in the summer before Carrick was made the permanent manager following his impressive interim spell, but the 39-year-old instead opted to stay with the national team ahead of their World Cup campaign.

Despite signing a new contract, however, he was sacked as manager following an exit in the Round of 32, and is now a free agent. Nagelsmann has previously coached Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich at club level, winning the Bundesliga title and two DFB-Pokal cups during his time at the Allianz Arena.

It's understood that Nagelsmann has got plenty of admirers in the Man Utd hierarchy, who like his attacking style and coaching qualities. It remains unclear whether he would be open to taking over at Old Trafford at this stage.

Antonio Conte and Fabian Hurzeler have also been mooted as potential candidates for the role, while it was reported after the Como defeat that Eddie Howe is the current favourite for the job should a change be made.

Record-Breaking Nagelsmann Is The Answer

Nagelsmann has made his name as an exciting, all-action coach who is similar to Jurgen Klopp, but he is also one of the best coaching prospects around.

Having taken charge of his first game in the Bundesliga as a 28-year-old, the German is the youngest manager in the league's history, and has continued to learn and develop since then. Despite his tender age, he is vastly experienced, and has great quality when it comes to developing players, implementing a style, and winning.

United need someone with those qualities, but also with the authority to demand respect based on what they have achieved previously. Nagelsmann can do that, and in a manager market bereft of obvious candidates, he could be the perfect solution.