Few clubs in world football have paid so much for so little managerial stability as Manchester United.

Every dismissal arrives with a pay-off and every new appointment with a fresh round of expectation.

The accountants at Old Trafford have become well versed in the cost of changing course.

Yet each time the pressure builds, the same conversation starts about who might come next.

This week that conversation has been moving quickly inside the corridors of power.

Unai Emery compensation amount revealed

Unai Emery is another admired candidate to replace Michael Carrick, but Aston Villa would demand about £20million in compensation for their manager, according to The Guardian.

The Spaniard is contracted until 2029 and earns between £10million and £12million a year, which explains why any release fee would be steep.

Eddie Howe would be cheaper to bring in and is reported to be sporting director Jason Wilcox’s preferred option.

The Guardian also names Unai Emery and Julian Nagelsmann as leading targets after United’s worst start to a season since 1986.

The 54-year-old won the Europa League last term, Villa’s first trophy since 1996, and finished fourth, one place behind United.

Villa have stumbled in the league with eight points from seven games and sit 12th, yet Emery’s side have won all three of their Champions League matches.

United, by contrast, have won two of their last 11 games and have gone seven without victory, culminating in the 4-1 defeat at Como.

They sit 13th with seven points from seven, and captain Bruno Fernandes has publicly questioned Carrick’s tactics.

Elsewhere, Howe, Nagelsmann, Fabian Hurzeler and Antonio Conte are among the names in the frame, with Conte keen to reawaken a “sleeping giant”.

Sources close to Emery have previously suggested he is absolutely committed to Villa, where he enjoys huge power and influence.

Carrick is due to take charge against Bournemouth on Sunday, while Villa host Manchester City on Saturday.