Pressure is mounting on Michael Carrick, who needs a positive result as Manchester United face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. United have failed to win any of their four matches since opening the league phase with a 4-0 victory over Sabah of Azerbaijan.
Their latest setback came in Saturday's 1-1 draw with 10-man Tottenham, who equalised in added time despite Rodrigo Bentancur's second-half dismissal. The Spurs midfielder was sent off for headbutting Shaw, who reacted angrily to a heavy challenge from the Uruguay international.
Fitness concerns ahead of Atletico clash
Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo are doubts for the Atletico game and missed training before the trip to Spain. Benjamin Sesko, Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui are ruled out, joining long-term absentee Manuel Ugarte on the sidelines.
According to reports from Italy, Antonio Conte is at the top of United's managerial shortlist should the club lose patience with Carrick. Conte is currently without a club after leaving Napoli at the end of last season and has suggested he would welcome the chance to rebuild a fallen giant.
Conte contact reportedly made
Calciomercato IT report that United have made 'initial contact' with Conte's representatives to gauge his interest in the role, should it become available. Juventus, where Conte managed between 2011 and 2014, are also linked, but the United job is said to be more appealing to the 57-year-old.
In a recent interview with The Athletic, Conte hinted at his next move: "If you go to a club where the history speaks for itself - a history made up of trophies, league titles and victories - you can only honour that history in one way: by having the ambition to bring that club back, if it isn't there today, to fight for those goals."
Real Madrid confident on JJ Gabriel
Real Madrid are increasingly confident of signing United youngster JJ Gabriel. The 16-year-old, who was close to making his senior debut, surprised United last month by requesting a release amid interest from Real, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. United can block a move to a Premier League rival this season, but his EU passport allows a transfer to a European club.
Madrid-based journalist Jose Felix Diaz reports that a decision on Gabriel is imminent, with Real believing they have the edge in the race for the teenager, who prefers a move to La Liga. United are reportedly accepting that Gabriel's exit is becoming inevitable. When asked last week about any developments during the international break, Carrick said: "No, nothing's changed at all."
