Carrick's job under threat as Shearer names three United replacements and Ten Hag laments £100m transfer blocks

Michael Carrick’s position as Manchester United manager is under increasing scrutiny after a weekend draw at Leeds United left the club languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League, winless since their Champions League opener against Sabah more than a month ago. United have managed just one victory in seven league outings and face a trip to Como in the Champions League on Wednesday before further league tests against Bournemouth and Chelsea.

Former England captain Alan Shearer has publicly named three candidates he believes could replace Carrick should United decide to act. Brighton’s Fabian Hurzeler tops his list, with Shearer backing the Premier League’s youngest manager despite acknowledging the significant change in environment a move to Old Trafford would represent.

“If Carrick is relieved of his duties, Hurzeler would be a good replacement, but it’s a very different model at Brighton,” Shearer told Betfair. “I guess the manager you’d also look at is Eddie Howe. You’d look at Antonio Conte as well, but you know, whether you like it or not, that’s what happens when you’re not winning football matches and when you’re at one of the biggest clubs in the world.”

Shearer’s comments arrived before the weekend’s fixtures, which only strengthened the case for Hurzeler — Brighton put five goals past Crystal Palace on Saturday, and the south-coast club have won four of their six meetings with United since the German took charge in 2024, including a come-from-behind Carabao Cup victory in September.

Adding further turbulence around Old Trafford, former United manager Erik ten Hag has claimed he was blocked from signing several high-profile targets during his tenure. The Dutchman says the club’s leadership prevented him from pursuing England internationals Declan Rice and Harry Kane — both of whom moved for substantial fees in 2023 — as well as Barcelona and Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong. Ten Hag’s public airing of those grievances has reignited debate about the club’s transfer decision-making under its current ownership structure.

United took four points from the corresponding fixtures against Como, Bournemouth, and Chelsea last season, though Carrick was only in the dugout for one of those games. Wednesday’s trip to Italy will be an early indicator of whether the manager can steady the ship before the pressure intensifies further.