Jamie Redknapp has told Sir Jim Ratcliffe that only two managers could realistically replace Michael Carrick as Manchester United boss, describing the current manager's exit as inevitable if the club's form does not improve.
Carrick's future at Old Trafford has been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks amid a run of disappointing results. United lost 2-0 to Chelsea in the Premier League at the weekend, a defeat that leaves the Reds only above the relegation zone on goal difference and two points above bottom-of-the-table Sunderland.
Carrick has not won a Premier League game as United boss since August 30, and the club is now without a win across all competitions in their last nine games. Despite handing Carrick the position on a permanent basis in the summer, rumours have suggested United could be tempted to make a change.
Redknapp's Two Candidates
Redknapp argued that former Newcastle manager Eddie Howe and current Aston Villa boss Unai Emery would be the only worthy candidates for the United job if the club decided to make a change.
"There are only, I think, two runners," Redknapp told Sky Sports. "Listen, Michael Carrick is still in the job, so it's unfair to be saying it. But if that's the case, if this doesn't improve, it's inevitable that he's going to lose his job. It can only be him [Emery] really and Eddie Howe."
Nagelsmann Assessment
Redknapp also gave his opinion on former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann, who has been linked with the United job since leaving his role as Germany's national team boss in the summer.
"Julian Nagelsmann has done pretty well in Germany," Redknapp said. "I think he started off his career so good… last few years, not quite so good, obviously with Germany at the World Cup."
"I can only really see him [Emery]. It depends, does he want to leave Aston Villa? He's got a project, he can do what he likes there, he's running the club, whatever he says goes. But he might think, 'this is the challenge for me', and every manager has an ego. Everyone will believe that they can turn Manchester United around, they will genuinely believe that."
"With his abilities, he would probably be the only one that I would trust to be able to do it. I don't believe anyone else is just going to go in there with a manager and an assistant and change it. There are so many things behind the scenes that need to change."
