Emery set to extend Aston Villa stay as United prepare to sack Carrick this week

Unai Emery is set to commit his future to Aston Villa, closing off one of Manchester United’s most prominent managerial targets as the club prepares to sack Michael Carrick later this week. According to the Telegraph, Emery is in ongoing talks with Villa chairman Nassef Sawiris over a contract extension, ending speculation linking the Spaniard with Old Trafford.

Carrick’s position has become untenable after United collected just one win from their opening 10 Premier League matches, leaving them 18th in the table — their worst start to a top-flight season in four decades. The Champions League has offered little relief: defeats to Atletico Madrid and Como followed an opening 4-0 win over Sabah, and a 3-2 victory over Roma with 10 men has done little to lift United off 17th place in the competition standings after four games.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is expected to receive a formal presentation from sporting director Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada at a senior Ineos meeting in Monaco on Wednesday before a final decision is made. That timeline would give the club just under two weeks to identify and appoint a replacement before United’s next competitive fixture, a Premier League trip to Anfield on November 22.

Emery had been considered among the frontrunners for the role, having transformed Aston Villa into a consistent top-six Premier League side since arriving in 2022 and guiding them to the Europa League title last season. His continued involvement in the Champions League this term only strengthened his credentials in the eyes of those at Old Trafford.

With Emery now expected to stay in the Midlands, United’s search turns to other candidates. Mauricio Pochettino, Eddie Howe, and Julian Nagelsmann have all been linked with the vacancy. Carrick was handed a two-year contract in the summer following an interim spell between January and May, but the 45-year-old has been unable to arrest a slide that has left United in the relegation zone heading into the international break.