According to a report by Manchesterevening News on Thursday October 22, 2026, reportedly interested in replacing Michael Carrick as manager at Old Trafford are Eddie Howe, Antonio Conte, and Julian Nagelsmann; United could fire Carrick if they lose to Bournemouth on Sunday.

Carrick is under increasing scrutiny after Wednesday's dismal 4-1 Champions League loss to Como by United. The outcome has raised doubts regarding his tenure as the club's manager.

A growing number of people are worried about United's performance under Carrick after they were eliminated from the Carabao Cup and only managed to earn seven points in their first seven Premier League matches of the season.

But according to TEAMtalk, director of football Jason Wilcox is still on board with the manager's decisions. According to the source, United are not planning to replace their manager anytime soon.

With the international break in November quickly approaching, though, these next four matches are of paramount importance. With the increasing scrutiny surrounding Carrick, United are expected to respond strongly.

United face Bournemouth this weekend at Old Trafford, and if they lose, Carrick could be benched, according to The Touchline. The club's board allegedly thinks some players have stopped believing in the manager and don't think he can turn things around, according to the outlet.

Additionally, it states that United has begun searching for potential successors to Carrick in the event that INEOS decides to terminate his employment.

Some of the names being mentioned in relation to the position are Howe, Conte, and Nagelsmann. Dean Jones, a journalist, informed FlashScore that rumor has it that Conte and Howe would be interested in the opportunity should it arise.

Nagelsmann is reportedly interested in the United position, according to the Telegraph. Currently, none of the three managers have managerial positions with any club, as stated in the article.

United should wait it out and keep supporting Carrick instead of hiring a new manager, according to Paul Merson, a former Arsenal midfielder, despite the increasing pressure.

"To steady the ship, I think you gotta keep with the same manager," Merson told Sky Sports. Last year, he did achieve some success.

United, according to Merson, should not keep switching managers but instead give Carrick a chance to show how he handles pressure. He further brought attention to the club's financial constraints, implying that they cannot afford to buy every top player.

He thinks United should not expect an instant return to the Premier League's summit but instead require stability and a more balanced approach to rebuilding the squad.