Make us your Google favourite

Another year, another season in which Manchester United are poised to sack a manager following a dreadful run of form.

Various sources understand the tormented Red Devils are set to dismiss Michael Carrick with the club languishing in 18th place in the Premier League.

Should Carrick be relieved of his duties, United will embark on a search for their eighth permanent boss since Sir Alex Ferguson left in May 2013.

While some will argue the United job has become a poisoned chalice, there are no shortage of candidates to replace Carrick.

Mauricio Pochettino, Julian Nagelsmann, Eddie Howe, Antonio Conte, Unai Emery and Fabian Hurzeler are all being strongly linked with the United post.

Here, FootballTransfers takes a look at how those six managers have fared when they have come up against United in the past.

Mauricio Pochettino

The stars may be about to align for United and Mauricio Pochettino, who has been touted as a future Red Devils manager for a decade.

Pochettino, the current United States head coach, is finalising an agreement to take charge at the Theatre of Dreams, according to The Athletic's David Ornstein.

Having previously managed Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Southampton, the Argentine has faced United on 16 previous occasions.

And Pochettino has a solid record against his potential future employers, winning five and drawing three of those fixtures, with an average of 1.13 points per game.

Pochettino led Tottenham to a 3-0 league victory at United in August 2018, increasing the pressure on then-United boss Jose Mourinho.

Julian Nagelsmann

United are believed to be considering the merits of Julian Nagelsmann, who is out of work after leaving the Germany national team in the summer.

Various publications claim his credentials are being talked up internally by Christopher Vivell, his former RB Leipzig colleague and United’s recruitment guru.

Having never managed in the Premier League before, Nagelsmann has only faced United on two previous occasions.

The 39-year-old, who has formerly managed Bayern Munich in his homeland, has won 50 per cent (1/2) of his clashes with United.

Nagelsmann famously led Leipzig to a 3-2 win over United in December 2020 - a result which knocked the Red Devils out of the Champions League.

Eddie Howe

Available after ending his near five-year spell as Newcastle United boss in the summer, Eddie Howe is believed to be keen on discussing the Man Utd job.

Regarded as the best English coach in men’s football, Howe is believed to be appreciated by United's director of football Jason Wilcox.

Owing to his time spent as Bournemouth and Newcastle manager, the 48-year-old has faced Man Utd on 21 previous occasions.

And Howe won eight of those matches against the 20-time league champions, drawing three and losing 10, with an average of 1.29 points per game.

Howe ended United’s defence of their Carabao Cup crown when guiding a much-changed Newcastle team to a 3-0 win at Old Trafford in November 2023.

Antonio Conte

One of the most successful coaches of his generation, Antonio Conte is believed to be keen on replacing Carrick as United manager.

Conte, who has won league titles with Chelsea, Juventus, Inter Milan and Napoli, has a penchant for revitalising sleeping giants, hence the links to United.

The Italian has competed against United on eight previous occasions, winning four and losing four with an average of 1.5 points per game.

Conte famously led Chelsea to the 2018 FA Cup, beating United 1-0 at Wembley Stadium courtesy of a first-half penalty from Eden Hazard.

He was also embroiled in a months-long war-of-words with then-United boss Mourinho while in charge of Chelsea.

Unai Emery

Various outlets understand Unai Emery is admired by the United hierarchy, despite Villa insisting they have no appetite to lose the architect of their recent rise.

Like Conte, Emery is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in the world, having won the Europa League a record five times.

However, the Spaniard has somewhat struggled against United, losing 10 of his 19 games against them with an average of 0.89 points per match.

Emery led Villarreal to their first major trophy via the 2021 Europa League, with the Yellow Submarine getting the better of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United on penalties.

His most recent clash with United came on Sunday just gone, with Villa twice throwing away the lead to draw 4-4 at Old Trafford.

Fabian Hurzeler

One of the most promising coaches in Europe, Brighton and Hove Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler is reportedly well-liked by senior United officials.

The youngest coach on this list at 33 years of age, Hurzeler is earning plenty of plaudits having steered the Seagulls to second in the Premier League table.

And Hurzeler boasts an impressive record against United having won four of his six games against them with an average of 2.0 points per match.

Notably, the German has a strong record at United’s sacred home, losing just one of his four trips to Old Trafford, winning three.

Under Hurzeler’s stewardship, Brighton fought back from two goals down to win 3-2 at United in the third round of the Carabao Cup in September.