Manchester United are looking to strengthen a problem position as an Antonio Conte update emerges

Manchester United's testing fixture schedule rolls on against Bournemouth on Sunday, with Michael Carrick in desperate need of a victory. United have endured five matches without a win in the Premier League, leaving them stranded in 13th position, closer to the drop zone than the Champions League places.

Prior to Wednesday's Champions League game away at Como, Carrick was forced to deflect questions regarding former United manager Erik ten Hag's recent remarks about the club.

The Dutchman alleged United's ownership had made broken promises and claimed there was a "toxic" environment within the dressing room in an interview with The Athletic. Carrick has also been forced to navigate an injury crisis, which deprived him of nine senior players for the match against Como.

As United gear up for a return to Premier League business, here's a round-up of the latest developments from Old Trafford...

United back in for Hall

United are reportedly prepared to resurrect their pursuit of Newcastle's Lewis Hall. There was frustration during the summer when the club failed to secure competition for Luke Shaw.

United targeted Hall but Newcastle were reluctant to sell and subsequently committed the full-back to a fresh long-term deal, which seemed to render him unavailable. Though according to The i Paper, United will launch a renewed attempt to recruit the 22-year-old, who, it is suggested, is receptive to moving to Old Trafford.

The same report indicates United are monitoring another left-back, Adrien Truffert, who is anticipated to depart Bournemouth next summer amid substantial interest in the French defender.

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Conte conditions

Antonio Conte, a candidate to succeed Carrick should United opt for a managerial change, has reportedly outlined his demands amid interest from Juventus. The Italian giants are the other major club linked with Conte, who remains unattached following his summer departure from Napoli.

According to TMW Radio in Italy, Conte is seeking specific guarantees 'for the next few seasons' from Juve before rejoining the Turin club, whom he led between 2011 and 2014. The report suggests that if those assurances, believed to concern squad reconstruction, aren't provided, then he is likely to choose United instead.

Conte recently suggested his next role could be with a fallen powerhouse, with both United and Juve fitting that description. He told The Athletic: "There are many clubs that have somewhat lost sight of their history.

"I'd like to go to one of these clubs to dust off that history and make it shine once more. Clubs where there's pressure, where, ultimately, you know full well that you're not going there just to take part, but to compete."

Juventus are currently under the stewardship of Luciano Spalletti, who, much like Carrick, faces growing scrutiny following Sunday's damaging 3-0 home reverse against Lazio, a result that leaves them eighth in Serie A.