Manchester United have reportedly made contact with former France manager Didier Deschamps over a possible move to Old Trafford, with Michael Carrick's long-term future as head coach uncertain.
United are understood to be exploring the managerial market for candidates who could take over if the club's decision-makers opt to remove the current head coach. The approach comes as Carrick's position remains under scrutiny following a difficult run of results.
Champions League win provides relief
The midweek Champions League triumph over Roma, a 3-2 comeback after trailing 2-0 at Old Trafford, has provided Carrick with some welcome breathing space amongst supporters. However, should United slip back to the standards displayed during their nine-game winless run prior to defeating Roma, the board may feel compelled to take action following this weekend's fixture.
Carrick seemed perilously close to dismissal following embarrassing consecutive losses to Como and Bournemouth. Since then, he has overseen a defeat at Chelsea alongside the victory over Roma. The 45-year-old will be hoping the fightback against the Italian side can spark an upturn in fortunes.
Deschamps contacted as contingency
United's decision-makers INEOS have nevertheless been making contingency plans should they need to relieve the legendary former midfielder of his duties during the forthcoming November international break.
Foot Mercato claims they recently made contact with Deschamps, who has not worked at club level since departing Marseille in 2012. The report suggests, however, that he holds little to no appetite for accepting the position at Old Trafford.
The 58-year-old spent 14 years at the helm of the France national team, claiming the 2018 World Cup and finishing as runner-up at Euro 2016. Deschamps also guided Les Bleus to Nations League glory in 2021.
Other candidates considered
However, the Frenchman's international contract was not renewed following the recent World Cup, in which his side fell at the semi-final stage to Spain, before suffering a 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place play-off.
Deschamps, who has also been linked with the vacancy at Juventus, has remained without a club since then, though reports suggest he holds little enthusiasm for stepping into Carrick's shoes.
Foot Mercato also report that United have made informal approaches to other managers, amongst them Julian Nagelsmann and Unai Emery, who is instead understood to be on the verge of signing a new long-term deal with Aston Villa.
Deschamps is receptive to potential offers but is in no hurry to determine his next move. It is further reported that he is willing to bide his time until next summer before returning to management, having previously been considered for the Real Madrid role before Jose Mourinho made his return to the Bernabeu.
Carrick focused on Villa clash
Carrick, meanwhile, will be desperately hoping to demonstrate that United have turned a corner by orchestrating a home victory over Emery's Villa this Sunday.
United have managed just one win from their nine Premier League outings this season, leaving them languishing in 17th place, just two points adrift of 20th-placed Sunderland. Following Tuesday night's victory over Roma, Carrick warned: "I'm not getting too carried away with things.
"I think it's an important night. But we've got to take stock, we've got to stay calm and prepare and be ready for another big game on the weekend."
