Manchester United manager Michael Carrick could soon find his role untenable unless there's a swift upturn in the team's performance. Tuesday's Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid leaves United with a mere two victories from nine matches this season.
This suggests that Sunday's clash with rivals Leeds could be a pivotal moment for the Old Trafford legend. United have already had their worst start to a league season in 40 years, but things could still go downhill further.
Conte 'would say yes' to Man Utd
Antonio Conte, currently without a club, would reportedly be willing to take the reins at United if the opportunity arose. Calciomercato reports that Conte "would accept" the position and is allegedly waiting for an offer as Carrick's situation becomes increasingly precarious.
The ex-Chelsea manager, who clinched the Premier League title with the Blues in 2017, is available after parting ways with Napoli at the end of last season. According to talkSPORT, Conte is one of the leading contenders in free agency to take over if Carrick gets the sack.
Former Germany and Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann is the other top candidate currently without a club, reports the Mirror.
Fabian Hurzeler hailed as 'the real deal'
United icon Paul Scholes has labelled Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler as "looking the real deal" amid links to Old Trafford. The German, who has already ousted United from the EFL Cup this season, is mentioned as one of several potential successors to Carrick.
Hurzeler became the youngest head coach in Premier League history when he assumed control of Brighton two years ago at the tender age of 31. The ex-St. Pauli manager has guided the Seagulls to back-to-back eighth-place finishes in England's premier division.
"He's done great. He looks the real deal," Scholes commented 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."
