Conte demands transfer control and backroom autonomy to take Manchester United job

Antonio Conte has set two firm conditions for taking over at Manchester United, according to Italian newspaper La Repubblica: full authority over transfer activity and the right to choose his own backroom staff. The former Chelsea, Tottenham and Napoli manager has reportedly already expressed a desire to return to the Premier League to United chiefs, but will only proceed if those demands are met.

United’s hierarchy are said to be weighing whether to accept Conte’s terms, with the club’s results likely to determine the fate of current manager Michael Carrick. Carrick has won just two of his opening 11 league games this season, and reports claim the club have already made contact with prospective replacements following a 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como.

Talks with Conte are said to have continued on Wednesday evening, though internal disagreement at the club may complicate any appointment. Technical director Christopher Vivell is reported to favour Julian Nagelsmann, while sporting director Jason Wilcox is said to prefer a Premier League-proven candidate — a list that includes Eddie Howe, Fabian Hurzeler, Unai Emery and Conte himself.

Carrick, 45, is expected to take charge of the weekend fixture against Bournemouth and addressed his situation after the Como defeat. “Listen, I’ve not given my own position any thought,” he said. “It’s not about me right now and my feelings in that regard. It’s more of as a team and as a football club, what we want to look like, what we should look like. And as I said, the results can come and go at times, but you got to do it in a certain way. And that wasn’t it.”

Conte’s demand for control over squad-building reflects his track record at previous clubs, where he has consistently sought to impose a clear tactical identity and required players suited to his high-intensity, structured systems. Whether United’s ownership is willing to grant that level of authority remains the central question as the club considers its next move.