Deschamps on Manchester United's radar as Carrick's position weakens

Didier Deschamps is now being linked with the Manchester United manager’s job, as Michael Carrick goes through the most difficult period of his tenure. After a 1-1 home draw against Tottenham in the Premier League, followed by a defeat to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, Manchester United’s board has reportedly already begun drawing up a list of potential successors.

Deschamps’ name features on it, alongside Antonio Conte, whom the Italian press presents as the best-positioned candidate. The two-time World Cup winner — as a player in 1998 and as manager in 2018 — has been a free agent since the end of his spell in charge of France. Several messages from Manchester United supporters circulating on social media testify to genuine enthusiasm for his candidacy.

Yet nothing suggests that the Basque coach is in a hurry to return to work. Since leaving the French national team, Deschamps has repeatedly stressed that he would only take on a new project if the sporting challenge fully matched his ambitions. He turned down an offer from Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia — a three-year contract worth several million euros per season — and ruled out the Turkish national team job despite persistent rumours.

His name had also been mentioned in connection with Real Madrid and several major Turkish clubs, without any of these leads coming to fruition. For now, Deschamps prefers to enjoy a quieter daily life between Cap d’Ail and Concarneau, away from the hustle and bustle of the touchline.

The situation at Manchester United could nevertheless evolve quickly if results continue to deteriorate. It remains to be seen whether the sporting project offered by the English club will match the demanding criteria Deschamps has set for himself before returning to work.