Manchester United's problems are no longer limited to the football pitch. With Michael Carrick under increasing pressure after a disastrous start to the season, senior figures at Old Trafford reportedly cannot agree on who should replace him. Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann have emerged as two leading options, but the disagreement over their candidacies suggests United could face another difficult managerial decision.
Manchester United have won just two of their opening 11 matches this season, recording their worst start to a campaign since 1986. Wednesday's humiliating 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como has intensified scrutiny of Carrick, whose team have now gone seven consecutive matches without a victory. The former United midfielder is expected to remain in charge for Sunday's Premier League meeting with Bournemouth, but the possibility of another managerial change is already dominating discussions around the club. Having enjoyed an encouraging revival after his appointment last season, Carrick now finds himself confronting many of the same problems that have troubled his predecessors.
According to The Guardian's report published on October 23, director of football Jason Wilcox considers Eddie Howe his preferred candidate should United decide to dismiss Carrick. Wilcox is understood to value Howe's extensive Premier League experience and his record of improving teams without necessarily relying on an endless supply of expensive signings. However, Christopher Vivell, United's director of recruitment, is believed to favour Julian Nagelsmann, the former Bayern Munich and Germany national team coach. The difference of opinion leaves the club facing a familiar question: what type of manager does Manchester United actually need?
Why Eddie Howe Appeals to Manchester United
Howe's reputation was significantly enhanced during his five years at Newcastle United, where he transformed a struggling team into Champions League participants and ended the club's long wait for a domestic trophy. Newcastle won the Carabao Cup in 2025, their first major domestic silverware in 70 years, while also securing Champions League qualification twice under his management. His achievements followed an earlier successful period at Bournemouth, whom he established in the Premier League despite the club's comparatively modest resources.
Howe left Newcastle in July 2026 and has been taking a break from management, but he would reportedly give serious consideration to taking the Manchester United job if approached. His availability also makes him a potentially more straightforward appointment than some of the other candidates. Unai Emery, for example, remains under contract at Aston Villa, who could demand approximately £20 million in compensation to release their manager. Howe's Premier League experience and familiarity with English football appear to be particularly important factors in Wilcox's thinking.
There is another reason why Howe's candidacy is interesting. His work at Newcastle demonstrated an ability to build a cohesive team, improve individual performances and establish a recognisable playing identity. Those qualities are precisely what Manchester United have struggled to maintain through successive managerial appointments. However, the pressure and expectations at Old Trafford would represent a different challenge, particularly at a club where short-term results have repeatedly undermined longer-term plans.
Nagelsmann Has Support Inside Old Trafford
Julian Nagelsmann represents a different option. The 39-year-old German has experience managing Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich, where he won the Bundesliga title in 2022. He subsequently took charge of Germany's national team before leaving following the country's disappointing exit from the 2026 World Cup. Although his international spell ended without the success Germany had hoped for, his reputation as a tactically innovative coach has ensured that he remains an attractive candidate for major European clubs.
As The Guardian reported in its earlier examination of United's managerial options, Nagelsmann is highly regarded by Christopher Vivell and would reportedly be interested in discussing the position. His appointment would offer United an opportunity to pursue a different tactical direction, although adapting to the demands of the Premier League would bring its own uncertainties.
The disagreement between Wilcox and Vivell is particularly significant because it reflects two different approaches to rebuilding Manchester United. Howe offers a proven record in English football and experience working within the Premier League's unique demands. Nagelsmann brings a reputation for tactical experimentation and experience at some of Europe's biggest football institutions. Neither option guarantees success, but choosing between them would force United's leadership to clarify what it expects from its next manager.
Other Candidates Remain in the Picture
Howe and Nagelsmann are not the only names being discussed. Emery has admirers within the club after his impressive work at Aston Villa, while former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Antonio Conte is also understood to be open to a return to English football. Conte's experience includes winning the Premier League with Chelsea in 2017, although his demanding management style would require careful consideration from a United hierarchy that has already experienced several difficult relationships with high-profile coaches.
According to TNT Sports' overview of the managerial situation, there have also been suggestions of growing tensions between senior figures at United. Fabian Hürzeler has been mentioned as another possible candidate, although the Brighton manager is understood to be reluctant to leave his current position. United therefore face a complicated choice, with several possible replacements offering different advantages and presenting different obstacles.
Carrick Faces a Crucial Test Against Bournemouth
For Carrick, the immediate priority remains Sunday's home match against Bournemouth. United's poor results have left his position increasingly vulnerable, but there are arguments for allowing him more time, particularly given the injury problems that have affected his squad. Nine senior players were unavailable for the trip to Como, highlighting the difficulties of competing domestically and in Europe with a squad that may not have been strengthened sufficiently during the summer.
Nevertheless, the bigger issue extends beyond one manager or one disappointing result. Manchester United have repeatedly changed coaches in the hope of finding a solution, yet the club continues to struggle with questions about recruitment, squad balance, leadership and long-term direction. Another dismissal would bring another opportunity to start again, but it would also raise uncomfortable questions about the decisions made by the people responsible for appointing those managers.
Whether Carrick can turn the situation around remains uncertain. What is becoming clearer, however, is that Manchester United's hierarchy may have to resolve its own disagreements before deciding who should lead the team next. With Howe and Nagelsmann attracting support from different figures inside the club, the choice of Carrick's potential successor could reveal as much about United's internal direction as it does about the manager they eventually appoint.
Published by Patrick Jane
23.10.2026