Antonio Conte has made it known to Manchester United’s hierarchy that he would be keen to take over as manager if the club decide to sack Michael Carrick, according to reports in Friday’s newspapers. The 57-year-old Italian, out of work since leaving Napoli in the summer, is said to be “absolutely ready” to return to the dugout, with his representatives contacting senior figures at Old Trafford to underline his interest.
The approach, reported by the Daily Mirror via Sky Sports’ Paper Talk and by talkSPORT, comes with Carrick under severe pressure after United’s miserable start to the season. The Red Devils have managed a single victory from their opening six Premier League matches, sit 13th in the table, and have already been dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton, who recovered from two goals down to win at Old Trafford.
Carrick, 45, was handed the role permanently in the summer after an impressive interim spell following Ruben Amorim’s January departure, a stint in which he secured Champions League qualification. But the new campaign has unravelled: a 1-1 home draw with 10-man Tottenham was met with boos — Gary Neville suggested they were not directed at the manager — before United lost their first away Champions League fixture to Atletico Madrid. Across all competitions, they have won only two of nine matches, a run of form that has put Antonio Conte’s availability firmly on the agenda.
Why Antonio Conte Wants the Manchester United Job
For Antonio Conte, the attraction is obvious. The Italian has collected league titles with Chelsea, Inter Milan and Napoli over the past decade, winning the Premier League in his debut season at Stamford Bridge in 2016-17 and adding the FA Cup the following year by beating United in the final. His representatives are reported to have told United powerbrokers that he wishes to “restore the tradition” of a historic club in a difficult moment — and that he has turned down offers from Saudi Arabia and Turkey to chase a return to one of Europe’s top leagues.
Conte’s camp previously held discussions with United’s director of football Jason Wilcox during the summer, only for the board to place its faith in Carrick. The 57-year-old’s record in England stands comparison with any available coach: a league title and FA Cup at Chelsea, followed by a win rate above 50 per cent during his Tottenham tenure from 2021 to March 2023, which ended with Spurs sitting fourth.
Dressing-Room Unrest Intensifies Scrutiny of Carrick
The managerial speculation has been amplified by visible discontent behind the scenes. Lisandro Martinez is said to be reluctant to extend his contract after a public outburst about the board’s lack of ambition — reportedly triggered by Ayden Heaven being deployed at left-back — while Roy Keane has accused the squad’s senior players of prioritising off-field ventures over dressing-room discipline. Ander Herrera, meanwhile, has called on critics to show greater respect to captain Bruno Fernandes.
There is, as yet, no confirmation that United have opened formal talks with Antonio Conte or taken any decision on Carrick’s future. But with the international break approaching and patience among supporters wearing thin, the question of whether the board acts is becoming harder to avoid.
What Antonio Conte Would Bring to Old Trafford
Appointing Antonio Conte would mark a decisive break from the continuity-candidate model that delivered Carrick the job. The Italian is renowned for uncompromising standards, gruelling training sessions and an obsessive will to win — qualities many supporters feel the current squad conspicuously lacks.
His previous reigns have tended to burn brightly and briefly, and his confrontational style carries obvious risks for a club already riven by internal politics. Yet with United enduring what some have described as their worst start to a season in 40 years, the board may soon conclude that appointing Antonio Conte represents the safer gamble.
For now, Carrick remains in charge, and United’s next run of fixtures will determine whether the Antonio Conte chatter stays confined to the back pages or hardens into something far more serious.