Manchester United are closing in on a deal to appoint Antonio Conte as their next manager, according to Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb, which reports the two parties are "reaching an agreement."

The move comes with current manager Michael Carrick under pressure after a difficult start to the Premier League season. Carrick, who guided United to third place last term, has collected only six points from the opening six matches of this campaign — leaving the club 12 points adrift of the league leaders.

Conte's hints at a return

Conte appeared to signal his readiness for a return to management in a recent interview with The Athletic, suggesting his next role would be at a club competing at the highest level.

"There are many clubs that have, in some way, lost sight of their history. I would like to go to one of those clubs to dust off that history and make it shine again. Clubs where there is pressure, where, ultimately, you know very well that you are not going there just to take part, but to compete."

The comments were widely interpreted as a soft pitch for a top European job, with Manchester United now appearing to be that destination.

A decorated managerial career

Conte brings an impressive track record to the table. The Lecce-born coach secured the Premier League title with Chelsea in 2017 — becoming only the second manager to win a league championship against Pep Guardiola — before also lifting the FA Cup with the club the following year.

He returned to English football in 2021, joining Tottenham Hotspur mid-season and steering them into the UEFA Champions League. In between his two Premier League stints, he claimed a Serie A title with Inter Milan.

Most recently, Conte led Napoli to their fourth Scudetto in Serie A before departing after just one season. Despite his tendency for shorter spells at clubs since his time with Juventus over a decade ago, his record of delivering trophies remains formidable.

Manchester United face Atletico Madrid in UEFA Champions League action this week as the club navigates its managerial transition.