Manchester United could turn to the charismatic Antonio Conte to stop the club sleepwalking into a relegation battle this season.

A defeat to Xabi Alonso's Chelsea side this weekend could prove the final nail in the coffin for Michael Carrick who, despite retaining the sympathy of the fans, appears to have his head on the chopping block.

As Carrick, and all of his predecessors since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson have found, the problems at Man Utd run deeper than who is sat in the dugout. The current first team players at Old Trafford have regularly come under criticism for their character this term, and that certainly would not fly under the iron-fisted Conte.

Despite the Red Devils splurging nearly £200million on new players this summer, the Italian would surely demand to be backed in the upcoming windows. Conte has won titles with some of the world's most elite players and these three stars from his last post at Napoli would be a much improved backbone for Man Utd.

Alessandro Buongiorno - the defensive commander

Conte signed Alessandro Buongiorno from Torino in 2024 and the centre-back has gone from strength to strength since then. At 27 years old, he is at the peak of his powers, and has the credentials to become the leader at the back that Man Utd are so desperate for.

Standing at 6 ft 3 in, the Italy international is an imposing presence who boasts physicality and aerial ability. While a giant, Buongiorno has also cultivated a reputation for his positioning and ability to play out from the back.

The defender is not one to go on wild runs out from defence and is the sort of presence that could transform the Red Devils - there is no way Buongiorno would have let Dominic Solanke outmuscle him at the death like Lisandro Martinez did.

Speaking about the player in September 2024, Conte hailed the defender as the 'complete player'. He also has the ability to play on the left of defence - a problem position for Man Utd.

Next summer, Buongiorno will enter the final two years of his Napoli contract, which could make a transfer feasible. The player is yet to feature this season having undergone a knee operation this summer - that could help lower a transfer fee, but is a potential concern for any medical.

Scott McTominay - the midfield marauder

Man Utd spent £150million on improving their midfield options this summer with Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos arriving at the club. It's not been an easy transitional time for the trio with so much unrest at Old Trafford, but you wouldn't blame Conte for deeming those purchases to be not up to scratch.

Scott McTominay is, of course, a player the club knows well. The 29-year-old is a product of the Man Utd academy and spent a total of 22 years working his way up through the club before being sold to Conte and Napoli in 2024 for £25 million.

That has been an absolute steal for the Serie A giants. Having never established himself as a regular starter, McTominay has become a powerful box-to-box midfielder since making the move.

In 88 appearances for Napoli, McTominay has scored 31 goals - having managed 29 in 255 appearances for Man Utd. Speaking about the player in September 2024, Conte said:

"Scott is a player who has goals in his blood, he is very good at getting into the game.

"He has very good technical qualities, as well as a significant physical build. And he makes his presence felt in the air. He has quite a few goals in his DNA."

McTominay's work rate and ability to grab games by the scruff of the neck is exactly what Man Utd need, and it would be no surprise for Conte to demand the club swallows its pride and brings the Scotsman back.

Victor Osimhen - the target man

The most obvious acquisition would surely be Victor Osimhen. The talisman has regularly been linked with a move to Man Utd, and other Premier League sides, over recent years.

The 27-year-old made the move from Napoli to Turkish outfit Galatasaray in the summer of 2024 when a proposed late move to Chelsea fell through. His desire to play in the Premier League is no secret.

The Nigerian international's pace and power are renowned across world football. Over the 2022/23 title-winning season with Napoli, he plundered 31 goals in 39 appearances. While Osimhen did not play under Conte, he is a player the manager knows well and hailed as 'exceptional' during their time together at the club.

It's been a long time since Man Utd have had a striker capable of producing those numbers. Benjamin Sesko is the only out-and-out striker available at Old Trafford, with the likes of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo more versatile players.