After Manchester United's 1-3 away defeat to Brentford at the weekend, Amorim is under even more pressure. As a former Red Devil, Michael Carrick is open to returning to Manchester United to take up the managerial role. The coach, who briefly took charge as interim manager of the Red Devils after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's departure in 2021, guided the team to three unbeaten games during that period. When Erik ten Hag was appointed as manager last November, Carrick was also on the shortlist for the new managerial role. Although minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe is committed to supporting Ten Hag in the long term, the club has already activated a contingency plan in case results do not improve.
It is understood that Manchester United still maintains respect for current manager Erik ten Hag and hopes he can deliver the necessary improvement in results starting from the next game. While this process may take time, Ten Hag's position is indeed worthy of close attention. Given Manchester United's urgent need to see an upturn in form, his situation is indeed uncertain.
If a decision is made to sack Ten Hag midway through the season, Manchester United's contingency list for a new manager will focus more on short-term solutions. Michael Carrick, who was recently sacked by Middlesbrough, is looking for a new chapter in his career, while another candidate highly favored by the Red Devils is Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola.
Reportedly, Bournemouth are concerned that the manager—whose contract expires next summer—could be poached. Sources reveal that Bournemouth will accelerate contract extension talks with Iraola in the coming months. In his first season in charge of Bournemouth, Iraola led the team to a 12th-place finish in the Premier League, and last season he achieved the club's highest-ever league position of 9th. This season, despite selling three key defensive players, the team has still made an impressive start to the campaign.
If Ten Hag departs, Manchester United would prefer to appoint a successor familiar with English football. Iraola not only meets this requirement, but his tactical style— which emphasizes high pressing—also aligns with the club's traditions.
