Michael Carrick faces a big challenge as Man Utd might start talks with a top-class manager this week.
A top-class manager is reportedly open to taking the Manchester United head coach job if Michael Carrick gets sacked.
Carrick’s team couldn’t hold on to a win against Spurs on Saturday (October 10), as Roberto De Zerbi’s side grabbed a late equalizer thanks to Dominic Solanke. United played the last 15 minutes with ten men after Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for head-butting Luke Shaw.
This result adds to a series of disappointing performances at the start of the 2026/27 Premier League season. United currently sit 12th with just six points from six games, and their only win was against Ipswich Town back in August.
Carrick is feeling the heat, and according to Oddschecker, he’s the second favorite to be sacked next, just behind Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa.
Several names are being linked to the United job if Carrick is let go, including former Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and Antonio Conte, who has managed Chelsea, Spurs, Juventus, and Napoli.
Conte, who led Chelsea to the Premier League title in 2016/17, is currently without a club after leaving Napoli following the 2025/26 season. According to Italian site Calcio Mercato, Conte is open to the Manchester United role, with talks possibly starting this week.
Earlier this month, Conte told The Athletic he would think about another job in England “if it’s worth it” and mentioned how Premier League clubs have much more financial power than others in Europe.
“In England today they’re using bazookas, while elsewhere they’re still using a pistol,” Conte said. “But you have to be careful how you spend the money. It’s important to have a plan and a vision because money alone isn’t enough—you have to use it wisely.”
Conte has also won the 2016/17 FA Cup with Chelsea and helped Inter win the 2020/21 Serie A title. He led Napoli to Serie A glory in 2024/25 as well, winning six league titles during his time at Inter, Juventus, Napoli, and Chelsea.
The 57-year-old also said that “many clubs” have “lost sight of their history,” and he’d like to help “dust off that history and make it shine again.”
He added, “I want to go to clubs where there’s pressure and where you’re expected not just to play, but to compete.”
Could he be talking about Manchester United? We might find out soon.
For now, Carrick and United are focusing on their next game against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on October 13.
Here are the current odds of who might replace Carrick if he leaves (according to Oddschecker, as of October 12):
– Eddie Howe – 15/8
– Julian Nagelsmann – 11/2
– Antonio Conte – 5/1
– Kieran McKenna – 10/1
– Thomas Tuchel – 14/1
– Gareth Southgate – 14/1
– Darren Fletcher – 20/1
– Carlo Ancelotti – 20/1
– Mauricio Pochettino – 25/1