Manchester United Tracks Conte Amid Carrick Uncertainty

Manchester United is facing growing scrutiny over Michael Carrick's position after a difficult start to the 2026/27 season, with Antonio Conte linked as a potential replacement if the club decides to make a managerial change. United have taken six points from their first six league matches and exited the Carabao Cup.

According to Football365, reports in Italy have linked Conte with an agreement to join United, while other reports cited by Yahoo Sports said the club is not rushing a decision and remains willing to give Carrick time to improve results.

Italian journalist Enzo Bucchioni discussed Conte's situation in his TuttoMercatoWeb column and linked the former Juventus manager with a possible move to Old Trafford.

"Meanwhile, for the record and for all Juventus fans (there are many) still hoping for Antonio Conte’s return, the former Juventus manager is reaching an agreement with Manchester United, who have had a poor start to the Premier League season…" said Enzo Bucchioni.

Conte has previously managed Chelsea and Tottenham in the Premier League and won league titles with clubs including Chelsea, Juventus, Inter Milan and Napoli. Reports said he is available after leaving Napoli following the 2025-26 season.

Conte has also spoken about the challenge of leading a historic club, without naming Manchester United directly.

"If you go to a club where the history speaks for itself - a history made up of trophies, league titles and victories - you can only honour that history in one way: by having the ambition to bring that club back, if it isn’t there today, to fight for those goals. I know full well that only one team can win every year, but I must carry in my heart, and instil in the hearts of the fans, my players and my directors, that spark, that hope that makes you say, 'f***, we can win'. You only make history by winning." said Antonio Conte.

Former Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham questioned whether Conte would fit the club's football identity, despite the Italian's record of success.

"Would a manager like Diego Simeone or Antonio Conte ever be an option for Manchester United? Probably not, no," said Teddy Sheringham.

Gary Neville criticized United's squad after the club drew 1-1 with Tottenham, warning that effort and mentality were major concerns before matches against Atletico Madrid and Leeds United.

"What Manchester United fans will not accept is what they see as a lack of effort, and the truth is that the players are not running enough, nor are they showing the required amount of ferocity, determination and fighting spirit. The booing tells you that they feel deeply frustrated by what they are watching," said Gary Neville.

Neville said the team was struggling under pressure and questioned whether players had maintained confidence and focus during the poor run.

"What we are seeing at the moment is a team that looks as if it is shrinking into itself, and the club has become bigger than the ability of some of the players to deal with the pressure at the present time," said Gary Neville.

Neville continued his criticism by questioning the team's commitment and recent performances compared with the previous season.

"Carrick shaking his head would mean he is asking: are these players putting in the effort for me? What is happening with this group? Have they lost confidence in themselves?

Has their focus slipped? Have they started to collapse? What is going on?

Because these are not the players I was working with last season." said Gary Neville.

Neville also highlighted midfield concerns involving Youri Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo.

"As for Youri Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo, I think we have seen enough of this pairing so far. I am not saying it has to end, because that would be far too hasty a decision, but I have seen enough to believe that this pairing does not have the dynamism required to play for this club in the Premier League. Both are good players on an individual level, but some players do not gel together sufficiently and their characteristics do not suit one another." said Gary Neville.

United were scheduled to face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League before travelling to Elland Road to play Leeds United.

"The team will face Atletico Madrid, then travel to Elland Road, and if the players are not at their best mentally and physically, their weaknesses will be exposed. And if they do not start to improve, the coming weeks will be worrying." said Gary Neville.

Neville warned that the upcoming schedule would test United's squad depth and competitive character.

"Difficult matches await the team, and all the upcoming fixtures will require a strong character and a clear competitive nature, as well as a group of players capable of holding firm and dealing with pressure. And at the moment, we are worried about their ability to go through this run of matches and come out of it in the best possible shape." said Gary Neville.

He added that the break before the latest match had not produced the improvement supporters expected.

"The three-week break was supposed to represent an opportunity to put things back in order, but it is extremely difficult to understand how the team could produce this performance during the first 20 minutes." said Gary Neville.