Erik ten Hag's future was under consideration during summer 2024 before the club eventually opted to prolong his deal. Yet The Athletic disclosed at that juncture United's shortlist of potential successors, featuring Thomas Tuchel, Robert De Zerbi and Mauricio Pochettino.

All three managers are presently unavailable: Tuchel oversees England, Pochettino has joined forces with the United States and De Zerbi is at Tottenham. Meanwhile, Thomas Frank and former United assistant Kieran McKenna number among those suggested who are currently unattached.

Frank struggled during a brief stint with Spurs before being dismissed in February, while McKenna resigned as Ipswich manager after securing their promotion to the Premier League. McKenna, particularly, could prove a logical choice to succeed former colleague Carrick considering his five-year tenure in various coaching capacities at Old Trafford.

Before Ruben Amorim's arrival in November 2024, reports suggested United had included Marco Silva and Graham Potter on their shortlist of candidates. Currently employed by Benfica and Sweden's national side, respectively, either appointment would demand a substantial compensation package today.

Both managers were tied to international sides with Brazil and Germany at that juncture. And while Ancelotti remains occupied with Brazil, Nagelsmann has subsequently been relieved of his duties by Germany following a catastrophic World Cup campaign and would be obtainable at minimal cost.

Unai Emery, Andoni Iraola and Luis Enrique were also among the names touted as potential targets for United. Yet none of those candidates appears a realistic option to succeed Carrick in the current circumstances.

Of those presently available, McKenna, Frank and Nagelsmann each carry distinct appeal but considerable risk too. Nagelsmann has yet to manage in England, though his spell at the Bayern Munich helm suggests he can cope with the pressures of overseeing a giant club.

The same cannot necessarily be said for the remaining two, particularly following Frank's unsuccessful stint in charge of Tottenham. McKenna's return to United would carry echoes of Carrick's own homecoming given his historical connections to the club and he would still represent something of an unknown quantity.

Unless the club has other unexpected candidates in mind, it appears increasingly probable that United's next managerial appointment will come at a considerable price. And following Carrick's most recent stumble, Ineos may find itself reaching for the chequebook sooner than anticipated.