Nagelsmann among three available targets as Ineos weighs Man United managerial change

Manchester United’s 4-1 Champions League loss at Como on Wednesday has sharpened focus on Michael Carrick’s future, with co-owners Ineos having previously sounded out at least 12 managers about the Old Trafford role — three of whom are currently available.

The result leaves United without a win in seven games and Carrick among the favourites to become the first Premier League manager dismissed this season. While the squad’s limitations mean the coach cannot shoulder all responsibility, the pressure on Ineos to act is mounting.

When Erik ten Hag’s position was under review in the summer of 2024, The Athletic reported that Thomas Tuchel, Robert De Zerbi and Mauricio Pochettino were among United’s shortlisted candidates. All three have since taken up roles elsewhere — Tuchel with England, Pochettino with the United States, and De Zerbi at Tottenham — placing them firmly out of reach.

Also on that earlier list were Thomas Frank and Kieran McKenna. Frank was sacked by Spurs in February after a difficult spell, while McKenna stepped down as Ipswich manager following their return to the Premier League. McKenna’s five years in various coaching roles at Old Trafford under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick make him a particularly credible option to succeed his former colleague Carrick.

Before Ruben Amorim’s appointment in November 2024, United were also said to have added Marco Silva and Graham Potter to their target list. Both remain contracted — Silva at Benfica and Potter with Sweden — meaning any approach would require a significant compensation package.

More recently, Carlo Ancelotti and Julian Nagelsmann were identified as targets ahead of this season. Ancelotti remains committed to Brazil, but Nagelsmann was dismissed by Germany following a poor World Cup campaign and would be available at relatively little cost, making him one of the more realistic options on the list.

Unai Emery, Andoni Iraola and Luis Enrique were also among the names reported to have been contacted by Ineos, though the source material was truncated before full details of their current availability could be confirmed.

For now, Carrick remains in charge, but the combination of results and the depth of the managerial market means Ineos faces a decision that may come sooner than anticipated.