Andoni Iraola has 'significant backing' to replace Michael Carrick at Man Utd

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is the 'strongest candidate' to rival Michael Carrick for the Manchester United job and has 'significant backing' reports The Telegraph.

Carrick has United third in the Premier League, where they have been positioned for weeks. He's lifted the club well within the battle for the top four, after taking over from Ruben Amorim in early 2026.

Multiple reports suggests the former Red Devil is the leading candidate to take the job over permanently, having initially been brought in as caretaker boss.

But Carrick is not the only man in the running for the United role. The Telegraph reports that Bournemouth boss Iraola has 'emerged as the strongest candidate' to rival Carrick for the job.

United are adamant about running a full search for a new boss and will speak to other managers.

Iraola has 'significant backing' within the club and is therefore one of the leading names to take the job if Carrick doesn't.

Indeed, the club don't want a repeat of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's spell in charge, where he had great success as caretaker and then results fell off when he was given the job permanently.

That wariness means Carrick's position is not a lock, and Iraola's work at Bournemouth sees him strongly admired - his attacking style of play is looked upon favourably and United feel he would fit into what they are trying to do.

Iraola rejected a number of offers to stay at Bournemouth beyond this season and will leave in the summer after three years in charge.

Iraola's record at Bournemouth

Iraola has picked up 1.44 points per game in the Premier League this season. That is below both Carrick's career points per game and way below his tally at United - 2.23.

The Spaniard does have his side on a very good run of form at the moment, though.

Should the Cherries maintain seventh place, it will be their best finish in the Premier League, surpassing Iraola's ninth-placed finish last season, and the 2016-17 ninth-placed finish achieved under Eddie Howe.

Bournemouth have not lost in the league since January, a run spanning 14 games. During that time, they have beaten Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle, as well as drawing to United.

He certainly has a body of work which suggests he could do a job at a bigger side, but it feels hard to look past what Carrick has done with United so far this season.