Manchester United are 13th in the Premier League standings four matches into the season, with one win, a draw and two losses to their name. Their only success was at home against newly promoted Ipswich Town.
Their dismal start to the 2026/27 campaign continued on Wednesday night as United crashed out of the EFL Cup at the 3rd round stage – blowing a 2-goal lead at home to Brighton to lose 3-2.
Following an extensive summer rebuild, which was perhaps only missing the signing of a new left back, the Red Devils have a very competent squad and after a strong end to last season, they were expected to contend for silverware this year.
Italian source Corriere della Sera (h/t Calcio Mercato) has reported that if the trend of recent results continues, Michael Carrick’s job at Old Trafford would come under tremendous pressure and United have already started scouting for replacements.
Ex-Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte has emerged on the Red Devils’ radar, as per the report, with the 57-year-old available to immediately take up a new role having left Napoli by mutual consent in May this year.
Conte a brilliant addition for United
Antonio Conte has strong experience in the Premier League and did exceptionally well with Chelsea, winning the title and the FA Cup with them in his two-year tenure. His work across Europe makes him a solid candidate for the Manchester United job.
The Italian would instil discipline and demand a high standard in the dressing room, whereas on the pitch, his tactical versatility and defensive solidity would ensure that the Red Devils look like a more robust and potent unit.
Should he join United, Conte is likely to shift to a 3-4-3 which yielded him a lot of success at Chelsea and could entrust Patrick Dorgu and Diogo Dalot at wing back positions, while leveraging a decent depth in central defence to set up a stubborn low block.
In offence, United have players who can quickly transition into the final third. With profiles generally suited to Conte’s style already available at Old Trafford, interest in his services from the hierarchy is not a huge surprise.
That’s not to say Michael Carrick’s job is under immediate threat but things could quickly change if United are not able to turn a corner sooner rather than later.
