Nagelsmann emerges as leading Man Utd candidate after Germany exit as Carrick's future hangs in balance

Julian Nagelsmann has emerged as a leading candidate to take over at Manchester United as the club weighs a decision on Michael Carrick, whose position is under pressure after a 4-1 Champions League loss at Como on Wednesday extended their winless run to seven matches.

Nagelsmann, 37, is currently without a club after stepping down as Germany manager following the country’s round-of-32 World Cup exit on penalties to Paraguay. Reports indicate the former Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig coach would be open to an approach from Old Trafford.

The German has a long-standing admiration for United that dates back to his playing days. When he faced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side in the 2020-21 Champions League group stage as Leipzig manager, Nagelsmann spoke openly about the club’s hold on him ahead of the Old Trafford fixture.

“I watched nearly every game of Manchester United 10 years ago, when I was a younger guy and a player,” he said at the time. “Sir Alex Ferguson had a long and very successful time for Manchester United so it was also interesting to watch him, what he changed from one season to the next.”

He added: “Ryan Giggs did a lot of big games for Manchester United, Paul Scholes, Ruud Van Nistelrooy… a lot of players. Bayern Munich v Manchester United, for example, the final when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored.”

That particular visit to Old Trafford ended in a 5-0 defeat for Nagelsmann’s Leipzig, but his work at the club was impressive enough for Bayern Munich to pay €25 million to sign him as manager the following summer.

Nagelsmann won the Bundesliga title in his first season in Bavaria before departing after less than two years. He then led Germany to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 on home soil before the World Cup exit brought his tenure to an end, with Jurgen Klopp subsequently appointed as his successor.

United have yet to make a formal decision on Carrick’s future in the wake of the Como defeat, which leaves the club without a win in seven games across all competitions.