# Man Utd Manager Michael Carrick Faces Job Threat

> Manchester United manager Michael Carrick may lose his job as club considers replacements after a poor season start.
- Title: Man Utd Manager Michael Carrick Faces Job Threat · SI
- Summary: Manchester United manager Michael Carrick may lose his job as club considers replacements after a poor season start.
- Keywords: man utd, michael carrick, fabian hürzeler, antonio conte, kieran mckenna, eddie howe, julian nagelsmann, unai emery, manager, replacing, premier league, man united
- Source: SI — https://si.com/soccer/every-manager-linked-replacing-michael-carrick-man-utd
- Published: 2026-10-23T13:30:01+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: man utd, michael carrick, fabian hürzeler, antonio conte, kieran mckenna, eddie howe, julian nagelsmann, unai emery, manager, replacing, premier league, man united
## Michael Carrick under pressure
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick faces potential dismissal after a poor season start.
## Internal division over replacement
Key figures at United are divided over who should replace Carrick, with technical director Jason Wilcox and recruitment chief Christopher Vivell pushing different candidates.
## Jason Wilcox and Christopher Vivell at odds
Technical director Jason Wilcox, the target of Lisandro Martínez’s recent rant, is said to be at odds with recruitment chief Christopher Vivell.
## Shortlist of six candidates
United have drawn up a shortlist that reportedly stretches to six candidates, though some are likely unattainable.
## Fabian Hürzeler as top target
Fabian Hürzeler, Brighton’s manager, is reportedly United’s top target but would require a world-record fee to leave the club.
## Hürzeler’s fee concerns
The Telegraph reports a 'world-record fee' would be needed to convince Hürzeler to terminate his contract with Brighton.
## Hürzeler’s fee comparison
A fee of around $29 million took Julian Nagelsmann to Bayern Munich in April 2021, making Hürzeler’s potential move financially challenging.
## Antonio Conte as contender
Antonio Conte, the former Napoli boss, is widely accepted as a potential replacement with immediate availability.
## Conte’s management concerns
The Athletic points to potential concerns over Conte’s volatile management style and high-profile issues.
## Kieran McKenna’s background
Kieran McKenna has similar connections to Carrick, having worked at United for five years including as scout and assistant to Ole Gunnar Solskjær.
## McKenna’s availability
McKenna has been out of work since the summer after guiding Ipswich back to the Premier League.
## Eddie Howe’s history with United
United have an uncomfortable history with Eddie Howe, who was pushed as a candidate by former sporting director Dan Ashworth in 2024.
## Howe’s potential role
Technical director Jason Wilcox favors Howe and those with proven Premier League experience.
## Howe’s readiness question
Howe has managed Newcastle in the Champions League but has not yet tested himself at a club with Old Trafford’s pressure.
## Julian Nagelsmann’s background
Julian Nagelsmann worked his way up from Hoffenheim to RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich.
## Nagelsmann as leading candidate
Reports have named Nagelsmann as a 'leading candidate' to replace Carrick, though Vivell answers to Wilcox.
## Nagelsmann’s age and availability
Nagelsmann remains one of the most exciting young managers in the game and is immediately available after resigning his Germany national team post.
## Unai Emery’s potential role
Unai Emery, Aston Villa’s manager, is a contender with Premier League experience but faces financial hurdles.
## Emery’s financial concerns
Emery is under contract until 2029 and would likely require a record-breaking fee to leave Villa.
## Emery’s management style concerns
There are concerns about the level of influence Emery would demand in a setup that favors the 'head coach' moniker.
## Key takeaway

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick faces potential dismissal after a poor season start, with multiple candidates including Fabian Hürzeler, Antonio Conte, Kieran McKenna, Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann, and Unai Emery.