Didier Deschamps has reportedly turned down an approach over the Manchester United manager’s job, as more details emerge over the future of Michael Carrick.
Carrick’s position at Old Trafford has been under severe scrutiny for several weeks following a miserable eight-game winless run across all competitions, the club’s worst since the 1988/89 season.
That dire sequence was snapped on Tuesday night as United staged an incredible turnaround after an abysmal first half to beat depleted Roma 3-2 at home in the Champions League, though it remains to be seen how much respite that offered their beleaguered head coach.
Support within the hierarchy
Sky Sports report that there remains support for Carrick within the United hierarchy, who have been said to be split on a potential replacement amid strong links to former Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and ex-Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann.
Sunday’s visit of Aston Villa to Old Trafford is likely to prove crucial before another review of the situation, with United having won just one of their opening nine games in the Premier League this term — at home to newly-promoted Ipswich back in August — as they go into the final weekend before the November international break sitting 17th in the table and outside the relegation zone on goal difference only.
Villa are led by Unai Emery, who has also been linked with United but is expected to sign a new long-term contract at Villa Park.
Deschamps declines approach
In a shock further twist to the saga, it was initially claimed in France on Thursday that Deschamps had been approached about potentially succeeding Carrick.
The 58-year-old is currently out of work after his successful 14-year spell in charge of the French national team — which included several major finals and one World Cup triumph — ended following the summer tournament, when he stood down after the expiration of his contract and was replaced by Zinedine Zidane.
However, it has since been reported by multiple outlets that Deschamps has indicated he would have no interest in taking the United job as things stand, instead preferring to wait to likely return to football next summer.
Interim options considered
United are not believed to be keen to appoint another interim manager if they do decide to part ways with Carrick, who was appointed to the full-time job in the summer on the strength of his success as a caretaker over the second half of last season following the sacking of Ruben Amorim in January.
It was a similar situation previously with fellow club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, while Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ralf Rangnick are other managers to have fulfilled interim or caretaker roles at United in recent years.
