Carrick Faces Pressure as United Make Worst Start Since 1986

Manchester United’s 1-1 draw away to Leeds United has intensified scrutiny on Michael Carrick after a season-opening sequence that has left the club nearer the Premier League’s bottom three than the top four. United have now gone six matches without a victory in all competitions, were eliminated at their first Carabao Cup tie last month, and have recorded their poorest league start since 1986.

Carrick, 45, described the Elland Road result against Daniel Farke’s Leeds as a “fresh start”, but his side must now respond quickly when they travel to Como in the Champions League on Wednesday. He led United into Europe as interim coach last season, yet the club’s recent record of managerial change means the pressure is significant: Erik ten Hag was dismissed in October 2024 and Ruben Amorim followed in January 2026.

United’s managerial situation

Any decision on Carrick would come against the backdrop of a club still seeking consistency since Sir Alex Ferguson’s 2013 retirement. United have appointed seven managers in that period, with José Mourinho the only one to have arrived having won or seriously challenged for the Premier League title.

United’s league start is their worst since 1986.
The Leeds draw extended the winless run to six games across all competitions.
The Carabao Cup campaign ended immediately last month.
Como await in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Carrick secured Champions League qualification while in interim charge last term.

Available candidates: experience against risk

Eddie Howe

Howe is immediately available after ending his near five-year spell at Newcastle United in August. The 48-year-old took over at St James’ Park in November 2021 and kept Newcastle in the division, then delivered Champions League qualification twice and their first domestic trophy for 70 years by winning the 2025 Carabao Cup.

His work at Newcastle and Bournemouth has established him as a proven Premier League coach, while his improvement of players such as Joelinton and Dan Burn would be relevant to a United group that has not consistently met expectations. He is regarded as a strong builder of teams with sound tactical credentials.

The concern is whether a steady, stabilising appointment would provide the larger figurehead United may feel they need. Howe could bring calm and direction, but there is doubt over whether his personality carries the transformational impact required at Old Trafford.

Availability: Unattached after leaving Newcastle in August.
Key achievements: Newcastle survival, two Champions League qualifications and the 2025 Carabao Cup.
Assessment: A sensible, credible option, though potentially short of the broader impact United require.
Suitability rating: 3/5.

Antonio Conte

Conte’s record makes him one of the most decorated coaches under consideration. The 57-year-old won the Premier League with Chelsea in 2016-17, Serie A titles with Juventus, Inter Milan and Napoli, and domestic cups in both Italy and England. He is also available after departing Napoli during the summer.

His ability to make a swift impression is attractive. Conte won the title in his opening campaigns at Chelsea and Napoli, and began positively at Tottenham Hotspur. A demanding, forceful appointment could produce an immediate change from an underperforming squad.

However, Conte’s confrontational approach has frequently brought friction with players and club leadership. Since leaving Juventus to manage Italy in 2014, he has held four club jobs and none lasted beyond two years. United would have to judge whether his intensity would lift a squad criticised for a lack of resilience, or deepen existing problems.

Availability: Unattached following his Napoli exit.
Key achievements: League titles in England and Italy.
Major concern: A history of short spells and difficult endings.
Suitability rating: 2/5.

Kieran McKenna

McKenna offers familiarity as well as promise. The 40-year-old left his first-team coaching role at United in December 2021 to take charge of Ipswich Town, then in League One, and led the club to three promotions. His achievements at Portman Road put him in contention for Chelsea’s vacancy in May 2024 before Enzo Maresca was appointed.

Having stepped down at Ipswich this summer, McKenna is available and would be a comparatively inexpensive appointment who could fit into United’s present structure. His level-headed manner and prior knowledge of the club could appeal to the hierarchy.

Yet a move for McKenna may appear too close to continuity. He would again work with players including Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot and Marcus Rashford, raising the question of whether United would truly receive a new message. His only Premier League season concluded with relegation, and although his managerial trajectory remains encouraging, he may need another significant post before taking on United.

Availability: Unattached after leaving Ipswich in the summer.
Connection: Former United first-team coach.
Key achievement: Three promotions with Ipswich.
Suitability rating: 2/5.

Brighton’s rising coach and a European name

Fabian Hürzeler

Hürzeler has turned Brighton & Hove Albion into one of the league’s most ambitious sides. Appointed from St Pauli in 2024 at the age of 31, he became the youngest manager in Premier League history. Now 33, he has overseen a youthful, energetic Brighton team that has pushed into the title conversation and, after last month’s 3-0 victory over champions Arsenal, shown it can challenge leading opponents.

Brighton’s recruitment has helped supply the platform, but Hürzeler’s coaching, aggressive style and active presence on the touchline have been central to their progress. He has also demonstrated confidence in confronting elite opposition, including public criticism of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal approach last season.

There are major obstacles. Hürzeler agreed a three-year extension in May, so United would face substantial compensation at a time when minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is operating under financial constraints. Questions would also remain about his experience, particularly after United’s unsuccessful gamble on Amorim, who was 39 when appointed two years ago. His high-intensity football may not naturally suit United’s squad, the Premier League’s second oldest, and his forceful character could create tensions with football director Jason Wilcox or senior players.

Current club: Brighton & Hove Albion.
Contract position: Signed a three-year extension in May.
Key result: Brighton beat Arsenal 3-0 last month.
Major concerns: Compensation, age profile of United’s squad and limited experience.
Suitability rating: 4/5.

Julian Nagelsmann

Nagelsmann, 39, is another coach without a club and has substantial pedigree from his work at Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig. He moved to Bayern Munich at only 33 and is widely considered an innovative tactician with close attention to detail, qualities that could help give United more structure and clarity.

His availability also reflects an uncertain recent record. His spells with Bayern and Germany did not meet expectations, with his Bayern tenure ending amid reported issues involving senior players. Germany then exited the FIFA World Cup in the round of 32 this summer.

While Nagelsmann has time to learn from those setbacks and rebuild his standing, United may be an unsuitable setting for a coach seeking rehabilitation after two difficult high-profile jobs. The central question is whether his strengths are better suited to clubs with more modest resources and expectations.

Availability: Unattached.
Previous clubs and roles: Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich and Germany.
Key concern: Recent failures in roles comparable in scale to United.
Suitability rating: 1/5.

Thomas Tuchel remains difficult to reach

Thomas Tuchel would bring the most obvious elite-level credentials. The England manager has won league titles with Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, and led Chelsea to the Champions League in 2021. He also spoke with United about the job after the 2023-24 season, when an agreement was close before negotiations collapsed.

His standing, confidence and trophy record would make him an especially strong football fit, but there is little practical prospect of an appointment. Tuchel, 53, extended his England contract earlier this year through Euro 2028. Even if the Football Association and Tuchel were to separate in the coming months, his history of disagreements with players and owners would remain a concern for United.

Current role: England manager.
Contract: Runs until the conclusion of Euro 2028.
Major honours: League titles in France and Germany, plus the 2021 Champions League with Chelsea.
Previous United contact: Talks in 2024 came close to an agreement but did not result in a deal.
Suitability rating: 4/5 if attainable, though a move is currently highly unlikely.