Manchester United chiefs are meeting on Tuesday to decide who should replace Michael Carrick as manager following a miserable start to the season, with four names in consideration

Manchester United chiefs are meeting on Tuesday to decide on who should replace Michael Carrick as manager.

Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox held fire on sacking Carrick until the international break, but are now set to axe the struggling boss. United sit 18th in the Premier League following Sunday's chaotic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa and their form has been deemed unacceptable.

United have won just three games this season - against Ipswich, Sabah and Roma - and their 30 goals conceded in all competitions is the joint-worst record in Europe's top five leagues. It means that Carrick is expected to be sacked on Tuesday, just 172 days after he signed a two-year contract as the club's permanent manager.

Berrada and Wilcox will meet with INEOS chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe to put forward their recommendations for Carrick's replacement. Here Mirror Football runs the rule over the four main contenders.

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Eddie Howe

Howe is available to United after ending a five-year stint at Newcastle back in July. The 48-year-old is understood to be open to taking over from Carrick and has therefore rejected an approach from Crystal Palace, who are looking to replace Pierre Sage.

The former Newcastle boss has a great deal of Premier League experience and could find favour with Ratcliffe, who is reportedly keen on appointing an English manager.

While the Magpies dipped in his final season, finishing in 12th place, Howe was responsible for their sustained improvement, culminating in the Carabao Cup win of 2025 and 4th, 5th and 7th-place finishes in the Premier League, which brought Champions League football to St James' Park.

Were he to be appointed, Howe would likely bring his coaching staff with him to Carrington, including long-time assistant Jason Tindall.

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Mauricio Pochettino

The Argentine has emerged as the early favourite for the job, despite being employed by the United States. Pochettino signed a new deal with the USMNT in August after the World Cup. He is under contract until after the 2030 World Cup, yet that deal has a clause which makes a move to Old Trafford possible.

Pochettino insisted upon a clause which would allow him to jump ship for another high-profile role. It does mean, however, that United would have to pay a great deal of compensation: Pochettino's buy-out clause is around $10million (£7.4m), with many millions more needed for his coaching staff, according to The Athletic.

He is currently preparing for his side's Concacaf Nations League quarter-final matches against Haiti but is open to an approach from United. This isn't the first time Pochettino has been linked with United and the 54-year-old would relish a fourth shot at the Premier League, following stints with Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea.

Despite a long managerial career, Pochettino's only trophies come from his one year with Paris Saint-Germain; he lost Carabao Cup finals with Spurs and Chelsea, as well as the Champions League final with Tottenham.

Julian Nagelsmann

Nagelsmann is available after leaving the Germany job, to be replaced by Jurgen Klopp, in the wake of a disappointing World Cup which saw his side beaten by Paraguay. Having previously been considered as one of the most highly-rated young coaches in Europe, Nagelsmann's star has fallen of late.

Nevertheless, United's director of recruitment Christopher Vivell is a fan of the 39-year-old, who made his name at Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig before getting the Bayern Munich job.

There are question marks over Nagelsmann's intense approach to management and his communication style and he would be a bold choice with United needing someone to turn things around quickly, with the team in the relegation zone.

Antonio Conte

Conte is another candidate who first emerged as a contender last month. The Italian is available after leaving Napoli at the end of last season and would come with plenty of experience and an impressive CV.

Conte has Premier League experience from his time at Chelsea and Tottenham and has won league titles with the Blues, Juventus, Inter Milan and Napoli. The 57-year-old is aware of the interest from United and felt compelled to release a statement following reports that he would demand control over transfers.

"I have read reports of financial demand and requests for full control that I have supposedly already made to the clubs mentioned, as well as reservations about what has been described as my 'strong personality'," he said. "These are reports are unfounded, as here is currently no concrete basis for such assessments.

"Should a concrete opportunity arise that will be the time to hold discussions with the club concerned and jointly consider the terms of a potential agreement, with due regard for both parties' needs and the qualities and approach that define my work as a manager."