Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has already named two managers the Red Devils should turn to if they decide to part ways with Michael Carrick, as his side's form continues to nosedive.

When Carrick was appointed on an interim basis, many United legends believed he would only be a short-term solution. This prompted the likes of Ferdinand to weigh up who they felt should be the next permanent appointment for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS hierarchy to pursue.

However, after a rich vein of form towards the end of the 2025/26 Premier League season saw United finish third and secure Champions League qualification, Carrick had done more than enough to earn a long-term contract. It was a decision that seemed to tick all the right boxes at the time, but now looks increasingly baffling.

The retired midfielder's inexperience at the highest level of management has come under the spotlight during United's run of eight consecutive matches without a win, leaving him facing the sack sooner rather than later. While Ferdinand believes United have exhausted most of their options when it comes to different managerial profiles, there is one avenue he thinks is still worth exploring.

Ferdinand Urged United to Explore 2 'Lunatic' Options

Right at the very start of Carrick's second spell as interim boss, Ferdinand claimed United had tried 'every single type of manager' to try to get them back on track, describing Louis van Gaal as the wily type, Jose Mourinho as the experienced boss, Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim as the younger, hungrier profiles, while club legends such as OIe Gunnar Solskjaer and Carrick have proven they aren't a stable option.

One type of tactician they haven't tried yet, but their legendary former defender thinks they should give a chance, is the 'lunatic' type. He told BBC Radio 5 Live in January, as per the Metro:

He continued: "On the other hand, you’ve got someone that can coach their team and get a playing style and an identity very quickly within a club. He’s done it at three clubs already, and that’s [Roberto] De Zerbi.

"We need elements of both of those two coaches, and I’d be absolutely fine by getting either of them as long as the hierarchy and the people operating football can handle them."

Would a 'Lunatic' Get the Best out of this Man United Team?

Another 'lunatic' style manager, who has often been linked with a move to the Premier League, is Atletico Madrid head honcho Diego Simeone. But would an appointment such as his really get the best out of the current squad?

Considering current Red Devils' captain Bruno Fernandes has downed tools at the first sign of Carrick showing a more no-nonsense approach would suggest not. His recent attitude towards playing for the club has also been filtered through the squad.

The likes of De Zerbi and Conte have almost guaranteed instant success at most clubs they've managed, but their flame burns fast, and they are usually just as quick to find themselves lambasting their higher-ups and leaving the squad in a more dire position than they started in.

Arguably, too, Jose Mourinho was a similar type of manager. He lasted less than two years, won a Europa League, but fell out with some of his players - including high-profile signing Paul Pogba.

It's hard to know who United turn to next. But it's very clear that the manager isn't at fault for the Red Devils' continued failing, and it's how the club is being run behind the scenes that leaves them rotten to their core.