Hurzeler, Nagelsmann and Conte emerge as Carrick replacements after United's 4-1 collapse

Manchester United’s search for a potential Michael Carrick replacement is gathering pace after a 4-1 thrashing by Como in Italy extended the club’s winless run to seven matches across all competitions, leaving Carrick’s position increasingly precarious.

Nico Paz scored twice as Cesc Fabregas’ Como swept United aside in a dominant display on Wednesday, handing the Red Devils a second consecutive European defeat and leaving them with just one win from their opening three fixtures in the competition. It is a damaging run for Carrick, who is in his first full campaign in charge at Old Trafford.

Fabian Hurzeler, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte have all been identified as potential successors. Of the three, Hurzeler is currently in work, overseeing a Brighton side that has made an outstanding start to the Premier League season and is competing alongside early leaders Manchester City and Arsenal. Twelve months ago, sections of the Brighton support were calling for his departure; now the club is targeting European football.

Former Premier League striker Alan Shearer has backed Hurzeler for the United role, and transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has reported that the young German coach is ‘really appreciated’ by at least one senior figure at Old Trafford, with his name surfacing in private discussions about Carrick’s future. A leaked internal meeting earlier this week was said to include an executive offering further support for Hurzeler.

Conte and Nagelsmann, by contrast, are both unattached. The Italian, who has previously managed Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, has reportedly signalled his willingness to take charge at Old Trafford, with intermediaries said to have approached United’s senior figures on his behalf. However, United icon Ashley Young — who worked under Conte at Inter Milan — warned that the appointment would be a ‘disaster’ for the club.

Nagelsmann’s potential involvement has also been raised, though the extent of United’s interest in the Germany national team coach remains unclear from the information available.

Carrick faces a significant challenge to reverse United’s fortunes. The club’s form across all competitions has been deeply concerning, and the scale of Wednesday’s defeat in northern Italy will only intensify scrutiny on his position heading into the coming weeks.