By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria

Manchester United are reportedly considering several high-profile managers as uncertainty continues to surround Michael Carrick’s future at Old Trafford following the club’s disappointing start to the Premier League season.

The Red Devils have managed just one victory in their opening 10 league matches, marking their worst start to a top-flight campaign since the 1986-87 season.

United currently occupy 18th position on the league table, just one point above bottom-placed Crystal Palace, leaving the club’s leadership increasingly concerned about the team’s performances.

According to reports, Manchester United directors are expected to meet in Monaco on Wednesday to discuss Carrick’s future after his 10-month spell as head coach came under serious scrutiny.

Should the former United midfielder leave, the club would be appointing its eighth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired 13 years ago.

Several experienced coaches have emerged as potential replacements, including Mauricio Pochettino, Eddie Howe, Unai Emery, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte. However, retaining Carrick remains another possibility.

Argentine manager Mauricio Pochettino remains a long-standing managerial target for Manchester United.

The 54-year-old previously established himself as one of the Premier League’s respected coaches during his time at Tottenham Hotspur, guiding the London club to impressive second- and third-place finishes.

Although he failed to win a major trophy with Tottenham, he led the club to the Champions League and League Cup finals.

Pochettino later won the Ligue 1 title and French Cup with Paris Saint-Germain before experiencing a more difficult spell at Chelsea, where his team lost the 2024 League Cup final to Liverpool.

He currently manages the United States national team and recently signed a contract extension that runs until the 2030 World Cup.

Despite his international commitments, Pochettino has previously indicated that he would welcome another opportunity to work in the Premier League.

Reports suggest his contract includes a buyout clause worth approximately $10 million, alongside provisions that could allow him to leave for certain major managerial positions.

German tactician Julian Nagelsmann is another name being considered as a possible option.

Nagelsmann first attracted attention during his time at Hoffenheim, becoming the youngest head coach in Bundesliga history at the age of 28.

He subsequently guided RB Leipzig to the Champions League semi-finals in 2020 before joining Bayern Munich, where he won the Bundesliga title during his first season.

However, his relationship with some key players reportedly became strained, and he eventually left Bayern before completing his second campaign.

Nagelsmann later took charge of the German national team, leading them to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by eventual champions Spain.

His reputation suffered another setback following Germany’s disappointing World Cup campaign, which ended with a defeat against Paraguay.

Despite those setbacks, the 39-year-old remains highly regarded in European football. United’s recruitment director, Christopher Vivell, also has previous working experience with him at RB Leipzig.

Former Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is another potential candidate with considerable experience in English football.

The 48-year-old built his reputation by guiding Bournemouth into the Premier League for the first time in the club’s history.

He later achieved significant success at Newcastle, ending the club’s long wait for a major domestic trophy by winning the League Cup against Liverpool.

Howe also guided Newcastle to two top-five Premier League finishes, securing Champions League qualification for the club for the first time in 20 years.

He left Newcastle following a disappointing 12th-place finish last season.

With his experience and previous achievements, Howe could be an attractive option for Manchester United. Reports also suggest the financial compensation required to secure his services would be relatively modest.

Italian manager Antonio Conte is another experienced candidate whose impressive trophy record could make him attractive to Manchester United.

The 57-year-old has won five Serie A titles, a Premier League championship and an FA Cup, among other honours.

He enjoyed considerable success at Juventus, Inter Milan and Chelsea, while also managing Tottenham Hotspur.

At Chelsea, Conte guided the club to the Premier League title during his first season in 2016-17, winning 30 of their 38 league matches.

His most recent achievement came at Napoli, where he delivered the club’s fourth top-flight league title before leaving during the summer.

However, his strong personality and history of disagreements with players and club executives could raise concerns about his suitability for the Old Trafford position.

His Tottenham departure in 2023 was particularly controversial after he publicly criticised the players and the club’s culture.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is another experienced coach who has attracted attention because of his impressive achievements in European football.

The Spanish tactician has won five Europa League titles, a Ligue 1 championship and several domestic trophies during his managerial career.

Since taking charge of Aston Villa in October 2022, Emery has transformed the club into a competitive side in English football.

He guided Villa back into the Champions League for the first time in 41 years and ended their 30-year wait for silverware by winning the Europa League last season.

Despite losing several important players during the summer, Emery has continued rebuilding his squad.

However, his chances of moving to Manchester United appear limited, particularly as reports indicate that he is expected to sign a new contract with Aston Villa.

Meanwhile, Manchester United could still decide to retain Carrick despite the growing pressure surrounding his position.

The former midfielder initially impressed after taking charge as interim manager in January 2026, recording 12 victories and collecting 39 points during the remainder of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.

However, his impressive beginning has not translated into consistent performances this season.

United have recorded just three victories in 15 matches across all competitions, with their league form placing them in the relegation zone.

Although the team has shown determination in recent matches, including comebacks against Roma and a 4-4 draw with Aston Villa, its overall performances have continued to raise concerns.

Carrick, who won five Premier League titles and the Champions League as a Manchester United player, now faces a major test as the club’s leadership considers whether to give him more time or appoint a new manager.

With United struggling near the bottom of the table, Wednesday’s meeting in Monaco could prove crucial in determining the club’s managerial direction.