United Already Eyeing Conte Alternative as Carrick Pressure Mounts

Manchester United may still be planning to keep Michael Carrick in the dugout for Sunday’s visit of Bournemouth, but make no mistake: the wheels are already turning behind the scenes. When a club of United’s size start quietly checking the market, it tells you the temperature is rising fast at Old Trafford.

Wednesday night was another proper humiliation, with United on the verge of being battered 4-0 before Joshua Zirkzee’s late consolation. That makes it just two wins in 11 games in all competitions this season, and for a side meant to be pushing on after a strong finish to last term, that is nowhere near good enough.

And the mood around the place is starting to fray. Public criticism from Lisandro Martinez and Bruno Fernandes has only sharpened the sense that all is not well, while Carrick is due to face the media on Friday ahead of the Bournemouth game. On the face of it, that suggests he will still be in charge at the weekend — but football, as ever, can turn on a sixpence.

Nagelsmann emerges as the more sensible option

According to GIVEMESPORT’s Ben Jacobs, United have already sounded out Julian Nagelsmann about the job should they decide to make a change. That is a pretty serious indication of intent. The German is available after leaving his role with the national team in the summer, and there are people at United who clearly like what he could bring.

And truthfully, he looks a far cleaner fit than Antonio Conte. Conte is a serial winner, no question about it — he has lifted the Premier League with Chelsea and stacked up league titles in Italy — but he also comes with baggage. He is outspoken, combative and rarely shy about challenging the club above him. Given the recent noises coming out of the dressing room, United hardly need another lightning rod for trouble.

Conte might get a trophy moving quickly, but Nagelsmann feels more like the sort of appointment that could actually build something lasting. He is younger, more progressive and geared towards a longer project, which is exactly the sort of reset United may need if they are serious about sorting out the mess rather than just patching over it.

The 39-year-old’s Germany spell was underwhelming by his standards, no doubt, but don’t let that cloud the bigger picture. His work at RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich showed he has the pedigree, the ideas and the coaching nous to manage at the top level. With a point to prove, he would arrive with something to burnish rather than simply a reputation to protect.

If United are thinking long-term, Nagelsmann is the more modern, more workable shout. Conte may be the short, sharp shock, but the club already look like they need more than a quick fix. For all the noise, the next few days could tell us plenty about whether Carrick gets time to steady the ship — or whether United decide to rip the plaster off and go again.

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