Unai Emery and Julian Nagelsmann have become leading candidates to replace Michael Carrick as Manchester United’s head coach if the board opts for a change following the club’s worst start to a season since 1986.

Currently, Carrick is expected to remain in charge for Sunday’s match against Bournemouth, with a media conference set for Friday. However, his position is precarious after securing only two wins from 11 games this season.

The recent 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League has intensified discussions regarding potential successors. Both Emery and Nagelsmann have garnered interest from the board.

• Unai Emery is under contract with Aston Villa until 2029 and has made a significant impact since joining in 2022, leading the club to its first major trophy since 1996 with a Europa League victory.
• Despite his success, Emery's annual salary of £10m to £12m could complicate any compensation package for United.

Julian Nagelsmann, recently released from his role as Germany’s manager after a disappointing World Cup exit, is currently available. He has previously managed Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig, and Bayern Munich, where he won the Bundesliga in 2022. United’s head of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, holds Nagelsmann in high regard, and it's believed he would welcome an approach from the club.

Other potential candidates include Antonio Conte, Eddie Howe, and Kieran McKenna, all of whom are currently without a position after their respective departures from Napoli, Newcastle, and Ipswich. However, Fabian Hürzeler is reportedly not interested in leaving Brighton at this time.

In a separate incident, Bruno Fernandes’s home was targeted by burglars while he was away with the team during the Como match. Thankfully, his family was not home, and the police arrived quickly, minimizing the situation. The club is supporting Fernandes during this challenging time and has requested privacy for his family.