Manchester United are quietly exploring potential managerial replacements even as head coach Michael Carrick is expected to take charge of Sunday's Premier League fixture against Bournemouth, with no imminent change yet communicated to the 45-year-old.

Eddie Howe, Antonio Conte, and Julian Nagelsmann are understood to be monitoring the Old Trafford vacancy with interest. Howe, who departed Newcastle United at the end of last season, is said to be open to a return to management and would be a serious candidate. Conte and Nagelsmann, both currently without clubs, are also reported to be keen.

Sources indicate Carrick is going about his work as normal and has not been informed of any decision regarding his future. Players were given Thursday off, and United have yet to confirm arrangements for Friday's scheduled pre-match press conference ahead of the Bournemouth game.

A crisis of results

The catalyst for renewed pressure on Carrick was Wednesday's 4-1 home defeat to Italian side Como — a result described internally as humiliating. That loss was compounded when captain Bruno Fernandes publicly questioned Carrick's tactical decisions following the UEFA Champions League defeat.

United's current record stands at two wins from 11 games, with no victory in the past seven — their worst such run since the 2015-16 season, when Louis van Gaal came within a hair's breadth of the sack after eight games without a win.

Some senior figures within the club believe that the relentless cycle of replacing managers in recent years has done little to halt the club's decline, and that Carrick has been let down by underperforming players. That sentiment, however, does not guarantee his position.

Emery and Hurzeler admired but hard to reach

Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery and Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler are held in high regard by United's hierarchy, though prising either away from their current clubs would represent a considerable challenge.

The pattern at Old Trafford has become painfully familiar. For three successive summers, United backed a manager publicly and financially — yet each time, the results deteriorated. Ruben Amorim lasted until January before being dismissed following a League Cup shock at League Two side Grimsby and a poor performance at Brentford. Before him, Erik ten Hag survived the summer of 2024 despite United weighing alternatives including Thomas Tuchel and Roberto de Zerbi, only to be dismissed the following October.

What comes next

United do have a clear midweek after their EFL Cup exit — Brighton came from two goals down to win at Old Trafford last month — which could afford the club breathing room to make a considered decision without the pressure of an immediate fixture.

Should Carrick be replaced, the club has a ready-made interim structure. Following Amorim's departure in January, Darren Fletcher served as caretaker for two matches before returning to his role as Under-18 coach. Two of his assistants, Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion, remain part of the senior setup under Carrick.

Recruitment strategy has also drawn scrutiny — specifically, the decision to reinforce midfield in the last transfer window while leaving the club short of striking support for Benjamin Sesko and cover at left-back for the injured Luke Shaw, among a long list of absentees against Como.

Bournemouth arrive at Old Trafford having recorded their first Premier League win under new manager Marco Rose last week. The Cherries have drawn 4-4 and won 3-0 on their two most recent trips to Old Trafford, making Sunday's fixture far from a comfortable assignment for a side mired in doubt.

The only certainty at Manchester United right now, it seems, is uncertainty itself.