Mauricio Pochettino and Eddie Howe have emerged as the early frontrunners, while free agents Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte are in contention too.

Here, Express Sport has given our verdict on who we think should be named the next United boss...

Manchester United need a manager with a unique skill set.

The ideal candidate needs to have experience competing with a squad punching above its weight, they need to have experience working in a chaotic environment which could prove too much for most other bosses, and they need to have experience bringing through youth if they don’t want to incur the wrath of the Class of 92 media ecosystem.

The biggest argument against them appointing him now is that they should really have done it years ago.

Amos Murphy: Eddie Howe

The goalposts have shifted for United now. Gone are the days of them needing a manager to take them back to the top, the Red Devils need stability more than anything else. Howe might be Mr Sensible, but he’s the sort of manager who can bring back a sense of calm, and in truth, normality.

Conte is a car crash waiting to happen; Nagelsmann is a risk, Pochettino might work, but it carries its own set of problems. You know what you’re getting with Howe, and it’s no thrills, but what if that is exactly what United need?

Archie Griggs: Mauricio Pochettino

I honestly don't think it matters who comes in at United, because the club is rotten from the top down and things will only meaningfully improve when the Glazer family and INEOS are no longer in control.

However, if they decide to sack Carrick, they'll have to appoint somebody, so why not give Pochettino a go?

United's top brass clearly weren't convinced by the likes of Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann when they considered a managerial change last month.

There would be little point in recruiting a head coach who would lack the confidence of his superiors before a ball has even been kicked.

That leaves Pochettino as the best option, although questions remain given his underwhelming spell in charge of Chelsea a few years back.

Jack McEachen: Mauricio Pochettino

The options available aren't what Manchester United had hoped for, as highlighted by their reluctance to sack Carrick last month.

But Pochettino does tick the most boxes.

He's managed egos, delivered consistently in the Premier League and been effusive in the face of media speculation.

Pochettino's high-press system might be exactly what this group of stagnating United players need. A jolt of lightning could inspire them back to the team that earned so much praise under Carrick only a few months ago.

He will need to be backed in January, however.

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