Nagelsmann and Howe lead United's shortlist as Carrick faces sack after Villa clash

Julian Nagelsmann and Eddie Howe have emerged as Manchester United’s two leading managerial candidates should the club sack Michael Carrick following Sunday’s Premier League home fixture against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

Carrick survived an earlier axe after a defeat to Bournemouth, with United’s decision-makers — chief executive Omar Berrada, director of football Jason Wilcox and minority co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe — opting to assess his position during the November international break. A dramatic second-half comeback against AS Roma in the Champions League, inspired by two goals from Matheus Cunha and a Bruno Fernandes penalty to overturn a 2-0 half-time deficit, briefly eased the pressure. However, Saturday’s Premier League results have since dropped United into the relegation zone ahead of the Villa fixture.

Should United move on Carrick, the club would face a compensation fee of £3 million to appoint Howe, despite the Englishman technically being a free agent. That figure is considerably lower than what would have been required to prise Fabian Hurzeler from Brighton or Emery from Villa Park. Hurzeler has since ruled out a mid-season move to Old Trafford, while Emery is reported to be in advanced talks over a new contract at Aston Villa.

Nagelsmann, also a free agent, is understood to be admired by United’s director of recruitment Christopher Vivell, while Wilcox is said to favour Howe given his Premier League experience. United’s hierarchy has not yet settled firmly on either candidate, and the club is understood to want Carrick to succeed — though another defeat could force their hand.

Villa arrive in Manchester having lost at Barcelona and drawn at home to Fulham in recent outings, but Emery’s side have been formidable away from home, beating Tottenham and Newcastle and handing Manchester City their first league defeat of the season at Villa Park last month.