Emery and Nagelsmann top targets if United sack Carrick

Carrick expected to be in charge for Bournemouth game

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick during the UEFA Champions League match at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium, Como. Picture date: Wednesday October 21, 2026.

Unai Emery and Julian Nagelsmann have emerged as leading targets to replace Michael Carrick as Manchester United’s manager should the board decide on a change after the club’s poorest start to the season since 1986.

Carrick is expected to remain in place for Sunday’s visit of Bournemouth – he is due to hold his pre-game media conference on Friday – but the 45-year-old’s job is in the balance after two wins from 11 games this season.

Wednesday’s 4-1 humiliation at Como in the Champions League has focused attention at United on a potential candidate to succeed Carrick should he be removed. Emery and Nagelsmann have admirers at board level.

Emery is contracted to Aston Villa until 2029, and Nagelsmann is unemployed after leaving his position as Germany’s manager in the wake of the team’s last-32 World Cup exit in the summer.

Emery has impressed since taking over Villa in 2022, last season winning the Europa League, the club’s first major trophy since 1996, and finishing fourth, one place behind United.

But Emery earns between £10m and £12m a year, so the compensation package United would have to pay Villa may be a stumbling block. He has also won trophies with Sevilla, Paris Saint-Germain and Villarreal and had a less successful spell with Arsenal.

Nagelsmann has managed Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich, with whom he won the Bundesliga in 2022 before being sacked in March 2023. He is highly regarded by United’s head of recruitment, Christopher Vivell.

The 39-year-old Nagelsmann guided Germany to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, where they were knocked out by the eventual winners, Spain. It is understood Nagelsmann would be interested in an approach from United.

Other potential candidates who may be considered include Antonio Conte, Eddie Howe and Kieran McKenna. They are out of work after leaving jobs with Napoli, Newcastle and Ipswich respectively. It is understood Fabian Hürzeler is not open to leaving Brighton at this stage.

Carrick led the rejuvenated Red Devils to third in the Premier League last term following Ruben Amorim’s acrimonious January exit and was handed a two-year deal in the summer.

The fact skipper Bruno Fernandes questioned the manager’s approach after the Como loss only increased the scrutiny on the under-pressure head coach, who apologised to the travelling fans after a match that left him “angry” with his players.

United sources have confirmed to the Press Association that he is set to lead the team into Sunday’s Premier League match against Bournemouth. It is also understood Portuguese midfielder Fernandes will avoid any disciplinary action following his outburst.

The head coach will preview the match at a press conference confirmed for 1.30pm on Friday at Carrington, where players and staff will return having had Thursday off following their late return from Italy.

Speaking having overseen one of United’s most embarrassing European defeats, Carrick said: “I’m bitterly disappointed. I’m frustrated, more than frustrated. I’m really angry, to be honest. But you’ve got to move on, you’ve got to deal with what’s next and see what that looks like.

“At this moment in time, there’s a lot to do before that next game, to get the team ready, because that was a difficult night for everyone.” In truth, it has been a difficult start to the season for all connected to United with seven points from seven matches representing their worst start to a league campaign since 1986.

But Carrick has to rally the troops for the Cherries game and said: “It’s not about playing for me, it’s about playing for this football club. It’s the responsibility that comes (with it).

“I’m responsible for the football club and the supporters and giving my best – absolute best – all the time, care about it. My whole life is wrapped around it.

Guardian and PA