Unai Emery would be among Manchester United’s leading candidates to replace Michael Carrick, should a decision be made on the latter’s future.
The Aston Villa manager is understood to feature highly on Manchester United’s shortlist of potential successors. Emery has twice led Aston Villa to Champions League qualification and guided the side to Europa League success in 2025/26, ending a 30-year trophy drought. He has done so with a minimal net spend, as key figures have been regularly sold to balance the books.
According to the iPaper, Emery is a ‘dream’ option for Manchester United, as the club contemplate change. United are winless in seven games across all competitions, the club’s longest sequence since 2015.
However, persuading Emery to leave Villa Park could be challenging. Despite the financial restraints, Emery has a level of control that he would not be granted at Old Trafford.
Eddie Howe has also been named as an option, alongside Antonio Conte. The Italian has this week released a statement clarifying that no advanced talks have been held with any club.
Also on Manchester United’s radar is Fabian Hurzeler, who reiterated his commitment to Brighton on Friday. Brighton would reportedly demand a world-record fee to part with the German.
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