Man United stand by Carrick amid Conte speculation
Abdullateef Fowewe
Manchester United has no concerns over Michael Carrick’s position as manager and have made no contact with potential replacements, club sources have insisted, despite Italian media reports linking Antonio Conte to the role.
The clarification comes after a difficult start to Carrick’s first full season in permanent charge.
United have taken only a handful of points from their opening Premier League fixtures and suffered a 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton in which they surrendered a two-goal lead.
Carrick, the former United midfielder, was appointed on a permanent contract until 2028 in May 2026.
He had taken interim charge earlier in the year following Ruben Amorim’s departure and guided the side to a strong finish, securing third place and Champions League qualification.
Reports in Italy have suggested Conte, who left Napoli at the end of last season and remains a free agent, could be a candidate if United decide to change managers.
The former Chelsea and Tottenham coach has also been linked with Juventus and AC Milan.
However, sources close to the club have stressed that no approaches have been made to Conte or any other managerial candidates.
The hierarchy is said to recognise that many of the club’s longer-term structural issues predate Carrick’s appointment and see little value in an early change of direction.
Carrick himself has dismissed talk of his position being under immediate threat, describing suggestions that his job is in jeopardy after only a few games as “ridiculous.”
