Man United face two obstacles in bid to hire target to replace Michael Carrick

This surely ends United’s hopes of landing the 33-year-old for the time being, so it will be interesting to see how the saga develops from here.

What next for Manchester United after Fabian Hurzeler blow?

Jacobs also mentions Julian Nagelsmann as someone with admirers inside Old Trafford, so that could be a name worth watching out for.

United could of course also stick with Carrick for a bit longer, but it’s getting harder and harder to see the 45-year-old being the best long-term option after such a disastrous start to this season.

See below as Carrick has won just two games out of eleven since taking the United job permanently, despite previously impressing as interim manager…

Man Utd’s form this season:

? 2-0 vs Hull
? 5-2 vs Ipswich
? 2-2 vs Everton
? 4-0 vs Sabah
? 1-0 vs Man City
? 3-2 vs Brighton
? 1-1 vs Fulham
? 1-1 vs Tottenham
? 2-0 vs Atletico Madrid
? 1-1 vs Leeds
? 4-1 vs Como

If this doesn’t get Carrick sacked,… pic.twitter.com/4LPn036YeL

— the Daily Briefing (@daiIybriefing) October 21, 2026

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Hurzeler is surely too good to stay at Brighton for much longer, though, as they’ve often ended up losing star players and even managers in recent times.

Brighton are currently third in the Premier League table and recently outplayed champions Arsenal in a hugely impressive 3-0 win, so it’s easy to see why their manager is so highly regarded in the game.