Vivell's potential Bayern exit clouds Man United's pursuit of Nagelsmann

Manchester United’s contingency planning around Michael Carrick’s future has been thrown into uncertainty after reports emerged that head of scouting Christopher Vivell could be lured away by Bayern Munich, potentially undermining the club’s pursuit of Julian Nagelsmann.

Vivell is said to be the primary internal advocate for Nagelsmann at Old Trafford, having pushed the former RB Leipzig manager as the number-one candidate should Carrick be replaced. Reports in Germany, citing BILD via Sport Witness, suggest there is growing confidence at United that Nagelsmann would be approached if Carrick fails to turn results around. However, Vivell’s potential departure would likely affect how Nagelsmann views the prospect of joining the club, given that his most vocal supporter inside Old Trafford would no longer be there.

Bayern’s interest in Vivell stems from the imminent departure of Nils Schmadtke, whose employment at the Allianz Arena is set to end in January by mutual agreement. Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund worked alongside Vivell during their shared time at Salzburg, and Vivell is reportedly viewed as a credible successor to Schmadtke by Bayern chief Max Eberl.

United’s internal thinking on a potential managerial change is not unified. While Vivell has championed Nagelsmann, director of football Jason Wilcox is said to favour Eddie Howe for the role. The club’s current plan is to keep Carrick in charge at least until the November international break, though board-level conversations about successors have already taken place.

Carrick’s position has come under intense scrutiny following a run of damaging results. A 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth last Sunday appeared to bring him close to the exit, yet he retained his job for Saturday’s trip to Stamford Bridge, where United lost 2-0 to Chelsea, with Lisandro Martinez sent off. The club currently sits outside the Premier League relegation zone only on goal difference.

Their Champions League campaign has also faltered, with defeats to Atletico Madrid and Como leaving United in a precarious position in the competition. A further test arrives on Tuesday when AS Roma visit Old Trafford.

Sky Germany has reported that Nagelsmann, 39, is on United’s shortlist and has distanced himself from approaches by clubs in Turkey and Italy, keeping the door open to a Premier League move. German football expert Marcel Reif told BILD via Sport Witness that Nagelsmann is keen on the prospect, though the full extent of his comments were not available in the source material.