Deschamps rejects United approach as Carrick clings on after Roma comeback

Manchester United have made contact with former France manager Didier Deschamps over a potential move to Old Trafford, but the 58-year-old is understood to have no real interest in replacing Michael Carrick, according to a report from Foot Mercato.

United’s ownership group INEOS has been drawing up contingency plans ahead of the November international break, with Carrick’s position under scrutiny following a nine-game winless run that included back-to-back defeats to Como and Bournemouth. A 3-2 Champions League comeback victory over Roma at Old Trafford — in which United overturned a two-goal deficit — has offered Carrick a temporary reprieve, but the board is said to remain alert to the possibility of a change.

Deschamps, who has not managed at club level since leaving Marseille in 2012, spent 14 years as France national team head coach. During that tenure he won the 2018 World Cup, reached the Euro 2016 final, and claimed the UEFA Nations League in 2021. His international contract was not renewed after France were eliminated at the semi-final stage of the most recent World Cup, losing 6-4 to England in the third-place play-off against Spain before falling to Spain in the last four.

While Deschamps has been without a club since departing the France role and is reportedly open to future opportunities, Foot Mercato suggests he is in no rush to return to management and is willing to wait until next summer before taking on a new position. The report notes he has also been linked with the vacancy at Juventus.

United are said to have made informal approaches to other managers as part of their planning. Julian Nagelsmann is among those contacted, while Unai Emery was also considered — though the Aston Villa head coach is understood to be on the verge of signing a new long-term contract at Villa Park.

Carrick, 45, took charge at Old Trafford in a permanent capacity and guided United to the Roma result that has at least steadied the ship for now. A defeat at Chelsea preceded that European win, and the coming weekend’s fixture is likely to prove significant in determining whether INEOS moves during the upcoming break or opts to give the former midfielder more time.