Manchester United manager Michael Carrick could find his position soon becomes untenable without a sudden turnaround in form. Tuesday's Champions League loss at Atletico Madrid has left United with just two wins from nine games this term.
It means Sunday's visit to rivals Leeds could be a make-or-break moment for the Old Trafford icon. United have already made their worst start to a league campaign in four decades but there's always room for things to get deteriorate further.
Speculation is rampant as to whom could take over the club if Carrick is shown the door. Mirror Football dissects the latest headlines around Old Trafford as the incumbent boss strains to keep his head above water.
Conte 'would say yes' to United
Free agent Antonio Conte would reportedly be open to taking over at United if offered the chance. Calciomercato reports Conte "would accept" the job and is supposedly awaiting an offer as Carrick's position grows increasingly uncertain.
The former Chelsea boss, who won the Premier League with the Blues in 2017, is a free agent after leaving Napoli at the end of last season. Conte, 57, won the Serie A crown in Naples in 2025 before tensions within the club reportedly led to his exit.
According to talkSPORT, Conte is one of the frontrunners in free agency to take over if Carrick receives the boot. Former Germany and Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann is the other leading candidate currently without a club.
Despite his previous exploits in England, there is an element of risk for United concerning Conte. His stints with Chelsea and Tottenham each ended in acrimony, while the Italian may be better off arriving in between campaigns when he can implement a full pre-season.
Nonetheless, murmurs out of Italy suggest he's receptive to the idea of an Old Trafford takeover. And a firmer hand at the helm may be just what's needed to get the most out of this United squad.
Hurzeler tipped as 'the real deal'
United legend Paul Scholes has said Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler "looks the real deal" amid links to Old Trafford. The German, who already knocked United out of the EFL Cup this term, is touted as one of several names prominently linked as Carrick's potential successor.
Hurzeler became the youngest head coach in Premier League history when he took over Brighton two years ago at just 31. The former St. Pauli boss has led the Seagulls to consecutive eighth-place league finishes in England's top flight, leading to rumours he's ready for a considerable step up.
"He's done great. He looks the real deal," said Scholes on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast. "But again, Man United is different."
The scrutiny is on you every single week. If Brighton didn't win a game for the next 10 games, nobody would really be that bothered.
He continued: "The one thing that someone like Hurzeler has got over Michael is that he's done a body of work in the Premier League. Michael did okay in Middlesbrough with what he had. I think Middlesbrough were probably expecting more with the budget they had."
Scholes even suggested there may be a part of Carrick that wants out of his old club amid the downturn in results. He said his old team-mate could be thinking "I'll take a few quid" to start afresh.
