Antonio Conte is reportedly willing to take charge of Manchester United if the club decides to sack head coach Michael Carrick, according to talkSPORT.
The report claims that representatives of the Italian manager have contacted United to communicate his interest in the role as Carrick faces increasing scrutiny over the team’s recent performances.
United sit 13th in the Premier League table with six points from their opening six matches. A 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur was followed by a 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid, extending their winless streak to five games.
The disappointing results have fuelled speculation about Carrick’s future at Old Trafford, with Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler and Julian Nagelsmann also reportedly emerging as potential candidates for the position.
Conte boasts extensive experience in English football, having previously managed Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. He also led Napoli to the Serie A title in the 2024/25 campaign before reportedly leaving the Italian club earlier this year.
Meanwhile, concerns over tensions within United’s dressing room have reportedly grown following the defeat to Atletico Madrid.
Argentina international Lisandro Martinez criticised the club’s hierarchy over its summer transfer business, insisting that the squad required additional signings to compete at the highest level.
“It was really poor, really poor,” Martinez told Amazon Prime after the defeat.
The defender subsequently expressed his disappointment with the club’s recruitment strategy, saying he had expected more from those responsible for strengthening the team.
“To bring more players, to compete. Other teams bring in many more players. I expect more from everyone… 100 per cent I expected more from my technical director,” Martinez said.
Although Martinez admitted that the players also had a responsibility to improve their performances, he stressed that investment in the squad remained crucial to the club’s progress.
Asked whether Carrick had received enough support, the Argentine backed the manager’s efforts and questioned whether repeatedly changing coaches would resolve United’s wider problems.
“You start changing, changing, changing manager, but what about other areas?” he said.
According to talkSPORT, some senior players have reportedly backed Martinez’s remarks, increasing pressure on the club’s leadership to address the issues affecting the team.
Conte’s reported interest could provide United with another option should the club decide to make a managerial change. However, no appointment has been announced, and Carrick’s future remains in the hands of the club’s hierarchy.
