United risk losing Conte to Juventus again as Carrick's future hangs in the balance

Manchester United are in danger of repeating a costly mistake from 2021 as the race to appoint Antonio Conte as their next manager risks being derailed by Juventus, who are growing increasingly restless with Luciano Spalletti.

A 1-1 draw at Leeds United on the weekend did little to ease the pressure on caretaker manager Michael Carrick, who is now without a win in six games. United have reportedly made contact with Conte, and the 57-year-old is believed to be interested in the role — but Juventus are emerging as a serious rival for his signature.

Spalletti’s position in Turin has become precarious after Juve were hammered 3-0 at home by Lazio, a result that left them eighth in Serie A, eight points adrift of leaders Inter Milan after just seven games. Italian media have been quick to connect the dots. Gazzetta dello Sport noted that the Juventus world had gone to sleep “dreaming of Antonio Conte”, while Corriere dello Sport warned Spalletti that talk of Conte “creeping into the corridors of Continassa” was becoming the “soundtrack to your hot autumn”.

The scenario carries an uncomfortable echo for United supporters. In 2021, Conte was openly interested in taking over from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during a difficult run of results, but the club delayed acting. By the time Solskjaer was eventually sacked, Conte had already agreed to join Tottenham Hotspur.

Conte himself has done little to dampen speculation. In a recent interview with The Athletic, he outlined his ambitions in terms that fit both United and Juventus precisely. “There are many clubs that have somewhat lost sight of their history,” he said. “I’d like to go to one of these clubs to dust off that history and make it shine once more. Clubs where there’s pressure, where, ultimately, you know full well that you’re not going there just to take part, but to compete.”

Conte managed Juventus between 2011 and 2014, winning three consecutive Serie A titles, and the clamour among the club’s fanbase for his return is significant. He left Napoli in the summer and has been without a club since.

For now, both Carrick and Spalletti remain in their posts. United travel to Como in the Champions League on Wednesday, while Juventus host Rennes in the Europa League on Thursday — two fixtures that could shape the managerial picture on both sides of the Alps.