Deschamps rejects Manchester United approach as Carrick fights to save his job

Didier Deschamps has rejected a Manchester United approach to become their next manager, dealing a blow to the club’s contingency planning as Michael Carrick battles to keep his job at Old Trafford.

United’s hierarchy sounded out the former France manager about taking over from Carrick, who has managed just one win from nine Premier League matches. Deschamps, who guided France to World Cup glory in 2018, was seen as an attractive candidate given his winning pedigree and the fact he is currently without a club — but he has made clear he has no desire to take on the role.

The 58-year-old stepped down as France manager following this summer’s World Cup and is taking a break from football before deciding his next move. He has not managed at club level since leaving Marseille in 2012.

With Deschamps out of the picture, United have also explored other options. Unai Emery is of interest to the club’s owners, though the Aston Villa manager is reported to be close to signing an improved contract to remain at Villa Park. Julian Nagelsmann has also featured on United’s radar but is said to have little appetite for talks with the club. Eddie Howe remains a leading candidate to replace Carrick should the axe fall during the international break.

Many expected Carrick to be dismissed before the current fortnight break, with United enduring a winless run stretching to nine matches across all competitions. That sequence looked set to continue when Roma took a 2-0 lead in front of a restless Old Trafford crowd, but United rallied to win the Champions League fixture, with Matheus Cunha scoring a dramatic late brace to relieve some of the pressure on his manager.

“I don’t have a crystal ball to know what happens next,” Carrick said after the comeback win. “We move on to the weekend. We’ve got a really important game here against Aston Villa, which we need to prepare for right.”