Nagelsmann open to Man Utd approach as Carrick's job hangs by a thread after 4-1 rout

Manchester United are considering Julian Nagelsmann as a managerial replacement for Michael Carrick, with the former Germany and Bayern Munich coach confirmed to be open to an approach, following a damaging 4-1 Champions League defeat away to Como on Wednesday.

The result at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium extended United’s winless run to seven games. The club have won just two of their 11 matches this season — against newly promoted Ipswich and European minnows Sabah — and Carrick’s position is now under serious scrutiny from the Old Trafford hierarchy.

Carrick apologised to United’s travelling supporters in the rain after the final whistle, in scenes that drew comparisons to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s final days before his sacking in November 2021. The manager declined to address his future before flying back from Italy but is due to face the media on Friday ahead of Sunday’s home fixture against Bournemouth.

Nagelsmann, 37, has been without a club since resigning as Germany manager in July. He has an existing connection to United through director of global talent Christopher Vivell, with the pair having worked together at RB Leipzig. When Vivell was technical director at Chelsea in 2023, the club explored hiring Nagelsmann, though he reportedly had reservations about their structure and recruitment — concerns he would likely seek assurances over before committing to any new role.

Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler is also understood to be on United’s shortlist. The young German has impressed in the Premier League this season and has been monitored by the club’s hierarchy for some time as a future candidate.

Antonio Conte has been offered to United but is not expected to be seriously considered, while fellow free agent Eddie Howe — who departed Newcastle earlier this year — is similarly not thought to be in contention.

Carrick was handed a two-year contract after an impressive interim spell last season, but the situation has deteriorated rapidly. Captain Bruno Fernandes publicly criticised the team’s tactical approach in a post-match interview after the Como defeat, adding to the pressure on the manager and the broader uncertainty surrounding the club’s direction.