Source: Carrick ‘needs a miracle’ to survive as Man Utd open ‘formal’ dialogue with 39-year-old manager

Manchester United are reportedly planning beyond Michael Carrick, with Julian Nagelsmann emerging as their preferred candidate.

The Premier League giants entrusted Carrick with a permanent role after steering the team back in the right direction last season, when he took over from Ruben Amorim in January.

However, a torrid start to the new campaign could force INEOS to wield the axe for the third season in a row.

Carrick walking on thin ice as Man United contact Julian Nagelsmann

After a three-week stop, Man Utd resumed their campaign by hosting bottom-of-the-table Tottenham at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Spurs dominated the action in the first half, but MUFC were able to snatch the lead through Bryan Mbeumo in the 73rd minute after showing improvement in the second period.

Nevertheless, United weren’t able to cling to their slim lead, even with the visitors going a man down following Rodrigo Bentancur’s red card. Lisandro Martinez allowed Dominic Solanke to slip behind him and connect with a cross to give the North Londoners a valuable equaliser.

This result means the Red Devils have only picked up six points from as many EPL fixtures, making it their worst league start in 40 years. Therefore, Carrick might not be able to survive this woeful run.

According to a popular news account on X (formerly Twitter), the Englishman now needs a miracle to stay in his post in the long term, as the management has already launched the process to appoint a replacement, with Nagelsmann identified as the ideal solution.

“Manchester United begin process to identify next head coach, sources indicate,” posted the source on Sunday morning.

“Club sources have confirmed that Manchester United have started formal progress on appointing a new manager.

“Representatives of Julian Nagelsmann are open to listening to the club’s future plans and assessing whether the project aligns with his client’s footballing philosophy.

“Senior figures at the club are now understood to believe that current head coach Michael Carrick is not the right profile to take the team to the next level technically long term.

“Michael Carrick will need a miracle to stay on as manager long term which the club expect won’t happen. New Manchester United manager incoming.”

Nagelsmann’s coaching career

At the young age of 39, Nagelsmann has already accumulated vast experience. The German ended his playing days early to pursue a career in coaching, and he has since managed to establish himself as one of the most sought-after managers in the world.

Nageslmann found success at Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig, which earned him a move to Bayern Munich in 2021. Despite winning three titles, the young boss found mild success with the Bavarian giants and was relieved of his duties in the middle of his second campaign.

He then embarked on an experience with the German national team, but it ended in a disappointing World Cup campaign after getting thumped out by Paraguay in the Round of 32.

Therefore, Nagelsmann’s last two tenures might raise a couple of red flags, but they probably served as important learning experiences.

With the German currently unattached, it remains to be seen whether he’d be enticed to return to coaching immediately, and more importantly, if he’ll be willing to take over a club that has stained the careers of several managers over the past 13 years.