Italian Journalist: Antonio Conte Could Replace Michael Carrick at Man Utd

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The pressure is growing on Manchester United's manager after Champions League defeat

Manchester United's hopes of kickstarting their season after the extended international break took a second hit when they were beaten 2-0 by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

While it wasn't Man United 's best performance against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, they were on the verge of picking up a much-needed three points before Dominic Solanke's injury-time equaliser.

It was a blow for Red Devils boss Michael Carrick after what has been a tough season for his side, who are nowhere near the level that saw them go on a storming run of form that ended with a third-place finish in the Premier League last term.

The trip to the Spanish capital to face Diego Simeone's men three days later was always going to be difficult, and they got off to the worst possible start when Pablo Barrios scored for the hosts within one minute.

United did grow into the game after that and, as they tried to score an equaliser, the game changed again when Leny Yoro was on the end of a contentious red card decision 15 minutes from time.

Just minutes later, Ademola Lookman ended the contest with a second goal for Atletico, which has further increased the mounting pressure on Carrick.

Carrick's Record as Man United Manager

The Red Devils have now won just two of their nine fixtures in all competitions this term, but they haven't really been unfortunate and it's difficult to say they deserve any more given their performances.

Lisandro Martinez came out post-match and publicly called out director of football Jason Wilcox for not doing enough in the summer, and the Argentine may well have a point after central midfield was the only area strengthened on the back of them returning to the Champions League.

Doubts are also being raised over Carrick's future, with Italian journalist Matteo Moretto hinting on X that Antonio Conte is lined up should United chiefs believe they need to wield the axe.

If Man United are looking at the free agent manager market should they decide to sack Carrick, there won't be many better qualified options available to them than Conte.

The 57-year-old has already had two spells managing in the Premier League with Chelsea, where he won the league title, and Tottenham, and while his spell with Spurs ultimately didn't work out, the north London outfit's recent situation proves their problems are deeply rooted.

The next aim for United will be to become genuine Premier League title challengers, and with Conte winning one with Chelsea as well as four Serie A titles with Juventus, Inter Milan and Napoli, as recently as 2025, he has proven pedigree.

Antonio Conte's trophy success:

The slight worry will be his volatility, given he has proven at Napoli and Tottenham in recent seasons that he isn't afraid to speak out against the club's hierarchy if he isn't completely happy.

The Red Devils must decide if they want to have someone else who could call them out after what we have seen from Martinez in the last 24 hours, but otherwise he would be a solid appointment.

Conte is a winner and, according to Moretto's fellow Italian journalist Daniele Longo, he is keen on the job too.

It feels like United's next two matches away at Leeds United and Como could be potentially defining for Carrick as he looks to turn the club's fortunes around.

What is clear is if the Red Devils' hierarchy do decide to make a change, they have a manager ready in waiting to come in and try to take them forward.

The Red Devils' boss is feeling the pressure just six games into the 2026/27 campaign.

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