Julian Nagelsmann is expected to be a leading candidate for the Manchester United job if the club decide to sack under-fire head coach Michael Carrick.

Telegraph Sport understands that the former Germany and Bayern Munich manager would like the role if a change happens.

United maintain they still support Carrick, despite a terrible start to the season with just two wins in 11 games in all competitions and none in their last seven fixtures.

However, the shocking 4-1 defeat away to Como in the Champions League, followed by criticism from United captain Bruno Fernandes, has piled pressure on Carrick.

It came a week after Lisandro Martinez turned on United’s director of football Jason Wilcox after another Champions League loss away to Atletico Madrid.

It now feels like Sunday’s Premier League fixture at home to Bournemouth could be decisive in determining Carrick’s immediate future. United have not beaten Bournemouth, who recorded their first league win last weekend under Marco Rose, for more than three years.

There is a sense from sources that if United do decide to make a change – and there are arguments to give Carrick time, at least until the next international break in mid-November to turn things around – that the club will need a bigger name and a stronger personality.

There is, however, growing frustration at not only United’s results but the tactics adopted by Carrick and his assistant Steve Holland – as highlighted by Fernandes – and the lack of intensity and pressing from the team. Even United analysts, according to sources, have identified this as a failing this season.

If United do make a change it will be the third managerial appointment in three years made in mid-season – which is an indictment of the club and the way it is run.

It is understood that representatives have already lobbied for former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur head coach Antonio Conte, but that the Italian does not feature prominently in United’s considerations. It is argued he would not fit into the structure the club is determined to adopt.

Nagelsmann is a free agent after leaving his role as Germany head coach following their disappointing World Cup campaign in the summer.

The 39-year-old has previously been linked with United and speaks perfect English. He was at Bayern Munich’s Champions League 2-2 draw at home to Arsenal on Wednesday evening.

It is understood the former Bayern coach has his supporters within the United hierarchy having previously worked with Christopher Vivell’s, the club’s director of recruitment, at RB Leipzig.

United are also admirers of another young German coach – Brighton & Hove Albion’s Fabian Hurzeler – although the 33-year-old has been tracked, up until now, as a future manager rather than an immediate option.

That may change, but Hurzeler will be expensive to prise away from Brighton, who are third in the table after an outstanding start to the season, having signed a new long-term contract at the club in the last campaign.

Availability may therefore become a factor and, if United consider making a change, Eddie Howe would come into their thinking having left Newcastle United before the start of this season.

It is understood that he is admired by United’s co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe but that the club may move in a different direction should they make a change.

Carrick signed a two-year deal in the summer after stabilising United and steering them to Champions League qualification following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim, who takes his AC Milan side to Bournemouth for this evening’s Europa League tie.