Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann remain the leading candidates to replace Michael Carrick should Manchester United decide to change manager, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Kieran Horn’s report, published ahead of United’s meeting with Aston Villa on 8 November, described a club still hoping Carrick could succeed but preparing to assess his position during the international break.
The distinction is important. United had not settled on a replacement or confirmed a dismissal. However, seven defeats across the season had left Carrick facing scrutiny that a dramatic European recovery could only partially ease.
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Carrick comeback offers relief without resolving concerns
United’s Champions League victory over Roma provided an example of the response Carrick needed from his players.
Trailing 2-0 at half-time at Old Trafford, they recovered through a Bruno Fernandes penalty and two Matheus Cunha goals. The comeback lifted United into the middle of the European standings and briefly changed the mood around the manager.
Domestic results offered a much less reassuring picture. Saturday’s Premier League fixtures had pushed United into the relegation zone before their scheduled encounter with Villa.
That contrast explains why the Roma result could not settle the managerial debate. Recovering from a difficult position showed determination and attacking quality, but United needed evidence that they could produce reliable performances across consecutive matches.
For Carrick, the challenge was to turn an emotionally significant victory into something more durable.
Howe and Nagelsmann attract support within United
According to the Manchester Evening News, Howe and Nagelsmann remained prominent options despite United previously deciding against an immediate change.
The report identifies differing preferences among senior figures. Director of recruitment Christopher Vivell admires Nagelsmann, while director of football Jason Wilcox is reportedly…
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