Manchester United boss Michael Carrick is facing a crucial run of games to prove that he should continue as the club's manager, starting with Como on Wednesday evening.

Sunday's 1-1 draw with Leeds United means it is now two wins in 10 matches this season for Man United and Carrick, who ended his interim spell last term with a win percentage of more than 70%.

He is miles away from that number this term with performances and results nowhere near what they were during that outstanding run of form in the second half of the 2025/26 campaign.

United were better at Elland Road on Sunday, but defensively they still have plenty of issues, as shown by Dominic Calvert-Lewin's straightforward equaliser.

The Red Devils aren't exactly excelling in attack either, with Carrick struggling to find the solution to Benjamin Sesko's continued absence through injury.

The 45-year-old knows he needs a positive result, and ideally a win, against Cesc Fabregas' Como to give himself a bit of respite from the rumours over who could be targeted to replace him.

United chiefs are still supporting Carrick, and they want him to succeed, having only appointed him on a permanent basis a few months ago, according to GIVEMESPORT sources, but they also know this is a results-driven basis and a big improvement is needed.

GMS senior correspondent Ben Jacobs has revealed that Brighton and Hove Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler is a potential option for the club if they do decide to sack Carrick, with Antonio Conte another name being spoken about whom, unlike Hurzeler, is a free agent and available now.

However, talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook has now revealed live on air that he is hearing that another free agent in Julian Nagelsmann is in contention for the role if Carrick leaves.

Nagelsmann Available After Leaving Germany Job

Speaking about United's managerial situation live on talkSPORT on Wednesday afternoon, Crook was talking about potential candidates if they do sack Carrick.

He said: "We're all assuming that people like Julian Nagelsmann would jump at the chance [to take over at United], but he needs to rebuild his reputation.

He has been mentioned to me in the last few hours as a potential Michael Carrick successor, if he can't turn things around.

It is all well and easy making a managerial change at this stage of the season, but you also have to be clear that you can get the manager you really want.

Let's be frank, there are some very strong free-agent options on the market if United did decide to make a change, such as Nagelsmann and Conte, as well as the highly-rated United Kingdom-based Kieran McKenna and Eddie Howe.

Meanwhile, Hurzeler continues to go from strength to strength with the Seagulls, with some pundits even beginning to question whether they could be genuine Premier League title contenders this term.

His German compatriot Nagelsmann may only be 39 years of age, but he has already managed RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich with great success.

His spell in charge of the national team was a bit more underwhelming, but he is considered an elite up-and-coming coach and he will be looking to prove that again in his next job.