Manchester United have reportedly drawn up a shortlist of three managers to replace Michael Carrick following a 4-1 defeat to Como in Italy on Wednesday. The Premier League-winning midfielder is under increasing pressure after a poor start to his first full season in charge at Old Trafford.
Carrick's Position Under Threat
Nico Paz scored twice in a commanding win for the Serie A side, inflicting a second successive defeat on United in Europe. The result leaves United with one win from their opening three matches in the competition, while extending their broader run to seven matches without a win in all competitions.
The loss in Northern Italy came days after a leaked meeting revealed that a United executive gave further support to Brighton & Hove Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler. According to Fabrizio Romano, the young German coach is 'really appreciated' by the Red Devils figure as his name continues to be raised in private meetings about Carrick's future.
Three Candidates in the Frame
Fabian Hurzeler, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte have all been mentioned as possible successors. Hurzeler has overseen a dream start at Brighton, with the Seagulls mixing it with pace-setters Manchester City and Arsenal. Former Premier League striker Alan Shearer has endorsed the German to replace Carrick at Old Trafford.
Italian Conte, who had spells with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, reportedly expressed his intentions of taking over at Old Trafford. According to reports, intermediaries have sounded out the Red Devils hierarchy over replacing Carrick, with Conte willing to take the job.
Nagelsmann has also been touted as a potential replacement, having forged a name for himself in Germany before taking the national team role, a position he relinquished control of in the summer. Formerly of RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich, he had been mooted as a potential Liverpool head coach when Arne Slot was dismissed in the summer.
Difficult Run Ahead
United face a tricky run before the forthcoming November international break as they host Bournemouth and travel to Chelsea before back-to-back home matches against AS Roma and Aston Villa, followed by an away trip to rivals Liverpool.
Lisandro Martinez's incendiary comments after their 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid raised questions over the morale within the squad and also the mood towards the higher-ups at Old Trafford. The general mood will have undoubtedly worsened after the Como thrashing, with Carrick's job now under serious threat.
