Who might replace Michael Carrick at Manchester United?
With Michael Carrick’s future at Old Trafford under debate, this piece reviews the leading candidates to succeed him as Manchester United manager, published on 22 October 2026.
Several high-profile names have been linked with the role, most notably the German coach who was of interest to Manchester City while Omar Berrada was part of the hierarchy on the other side of town. That German candidate is 39, has previously managed Bayern Munich and Germany, and is considered an innovator who demands a high-pressing style not currently used at United, as Bruno Fernandes will testify. His tenure with Germany ended with a 2026 World Cup last-32 defeat by Paraguay, and at Bayern he won the Bundesliga in his only full season before being sacked the following March with the team second and still in the Champions League.
Unai Emery is presented as a pragmatist with a strong European record and an ability to operate on a budget; he is described as tactically astute and typically sets up in a 4-2-3-1 while relying on a central striker, a position United lack. The piece notes Emery’s calm demeanour paired with a ruthless edge when required and cites his collection of silverware as evidence of his credentials. It also points out Emery’s preference for counterattacking play and raises the question of whether that approach would suit the current squad.
An unnamed Italian candidate who left Napoli in the summer is highlighted for his Premier League experience at Chelsea and Tottenham and for having won the title with Chelsea in 2017. He is characterised as a fierce competitor and disciplinarian whose high standards could unsettle a dressing room. The article warns that his fiery temper has produced contentious media moments, recalling that he once told a post-match press conference after losing to Burnley that maybe he was not the right man to manage Spurs, and observes his preference for three at the back could be problematic given United’s personnel, as Ruben Amorim found out.
McKenna is described as a Northern Irish coach with deep ties to United, having worked in the academy and then as part of José Mourinho’s backroom staff alongside Carrick; he remained on staff under Ole Gunnar Solskjær and was credited with a strong tactical influence when United finished second. He left to become head coach at Ipswich and was later linked with a return to replace Erik ten Hag. The article records that McKenna resigned in June after securing promotion to the Premier League for a second time and took time away from day-to-day management, questioning whether he would abandon that sabbatical after roughly five months.
Eddie Howe is presented as the experienced English option with significant Premier League credentials who led Newcastle into the Champions League and is viewed as a steady choice. The profile emphasises his work ethic — often first in and last out — and his tactical preference for wingers within a 4-3-3, which would rely on a central striker such as Benjamin Sesko to step up. It also mentions his tendency to work closely with his nephew Andy, who has held senior roles at Bournemouth and Newcastle, and notes Howe would not require compensation to be paid to another club, a factor the piece says matters at Old Trafford.
A 33-year-old Brighton manager is noted for a rising reputation, with his team described as third after scoring 23 goals in seven games. The article suggests that his current form and the strength of his squad help explain why he may be reluctant to leave mid-season. It adds that Brighton are outperforming United at present, which could deter him from moving.
The write-up concludes by observing that while Manchester United’s stature attracts many coaches, several potential candidates may be wary of taking over a struggling side in mid-season because it would mean stepping into a precarious situation.