Manchester United are facing an important decision over Michael Carrick, but replacing him with Antonio Conte would require more than simply reacting to a difficult start to the season.
United have taken only five points from their opening five Premier League matches and were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton after surrendering a two-goal lead. A 1-1 draw at Fulham on September 20 then extended their winless league run to three matches. Matheus Cunha’s late deflected equaliser rescued a point, but the performance left further questions around Carrick’s team.
The poor results have led to reports linking Conte with the Manchester United job. Sports Mole reported on September 23 that United had made initial contact with representatives of the former Chelsea and Napoli manager, although the report also said there were no immediate plans to sack Carrick. TEAMtalk, meanwhile, reported that United sources continued to back Carrick and disputed claims that the club had contacted alternative candidates.
That uncertainty is important because Carrick’s position is not the result of a long period of failure. He was handed the permanent job in May after a strong interim spell, when United won 11 of 16 league matches and finished third to secure Champions League qualification. The club subsequently gave him a contract running until 2028.
The current problems are serious, but United therefore need to establish whether they are witnessing a temporary loss of form or a deeper issue with Carrick’s management before making another major change.
Conte Offers Proven Premier League Experience
There is a strong footballing case for considering Conte if United eventually decide to change manager.
The Italian has already demonstrated that he can succeed in England. Conte guided Chelsea to the 2016/17 Premier League title after changing the team’s shape during the season, with the switch to a back-three system helping produce a 13-match winning run. Chelsea finished that campaign with 93 points and 30 league victories.
Conte also returned to the top of Italian football with Napoli, winning the 2024/25 Serie A title. Napoli confirmed in June 2026 that Conte and his staff had agreed to leave the club before the end of their contracts. Massimiliano Allegri subsequently replaced him.
His availability makes the possibility of a move more realistic, but his track record alone does not answer whether he is the right fit for United.
A Change Could Mean Another Direction
Conte’s arrival would represent a significant change in approach. His Chelsea title-winning side became successful after adopting a back-three structure, while his teams have generally been associated with tactical discipline, defined roles and demanding standards.
That could address some of the weaknesses United have displayed this season. Reuters reported after the Fulham draw that United had struggled badly in several physical performance measures, while the team’s inability to turn possession and chances into consistent results has remained a concern.
However, changing managers would also mean asking another coach to reshape a squad that has already been built with Carrick’s ideas in mind. United made substantial midfield changes during the summer, and Carrick had previously stressed that recruitment would not instantly solve the team’s problems.
That makes the timing of any decision particularly important.
Carrick Still Has a Chance to Respond
United’s next Premier League match is not until October 10, when Tottenham visit Old Trafford. The fixture will provide Carrick with an opportunity to respond after the international break, with Champions League football against Atletico Madrid following three days later.
Carrick has already rejected suggestions that recent setbacks represent a crisis and said his focus remains on improving the team. After the Fulham draw, he argued that United had created enough opportunities to win and praised the players for continuing to push for an equaliser.
The next few matches should therefore provide more evidence before United commit to another managerial reset.
Conte is an experienced and decorated coach, but appointing him would be a decision about the direction of Manchester United rather than simply a reaction to five league games. The club needs to determine whether Carrick’s problems can be corrected within the project already under way, or whether a fundamentally different managerial approach is required.