Carragher backs Emery to take Manchester United job and settle unfinished Champions League business

Jamie Carragher has publicly backed Unai Emery to become Manchester United’s next manager, citing the Aston Villa head coach’s desire to finally make his mark in the Champions League as the driving motivation for a potential move to Old Trafford.

The call comes in the wake of United’s 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday, a result that has placed Michael Carrick under severe pressure. It is widely expected that Carrick will not be in the dugout when United travel to Stamford Bridge this weekend.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher made his case plainly: “[Emery] is a manager I look at when I think about Manchester United. I think he is the best manager in the Premier League. But I’ve got this thing with him. Yes, his record in the Europa League is amazing, but surely somebody who is that successful wants to be known in the Champions League. He’s had two experiences that haven’t gone particularly well for him, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal. And I just think surely he would want that opportunity to prove himself at an absolute giant of a football club. Sorry, Villa fans.”

Emery, 53, has rebuilt his managerial reputation substantially since difficult spells at PSG and Arsenal. He guided Villa to a fifth Europa League title last season — a record for any manager in the competition’s history — before losing five key players in the summer. Despite that upheaval, Villa have recovered to go unbeaten in their last eight league games, winning seven of them, including a result that ended Manchester City’s perfect Premier League start.

Emery is not the only name in circulation. Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann, Antonio Conte, and Brighton’s Fabian Hurzeler have all been linked with the vacancy. United’s hierarchy are said to have been particularly impressed by how Emery reshaped his squad in a single transfer window, a quality that will carry a significant price tag — reports suggest he is currently earning between £10m and £12m per year at Villa Park.

As things stand, a departure from Villa does not appear imminent, and there has been no official confirmation regarding Carrick’s future. United face Chelsea on Saturday lunchtime, having been knocked out of the Carabao Cup and with a clear week to prepare. Chelsea themselves arrive at Old Trafford having lost 2-0 to Tottenham, a match in which Cole Palmer was sent off.