Manchester United will look to appoint a permanent head coach this summer but their options are running out.
17:58, 13 Feb 2026
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is running out of friends fast. And he’s also running out of options when it comes to finding the next permanent manager of Manchester United.
Ratcliffe has had the kind of week that cannot come to an end soon enough. His cretinous comments claiming immigrants have colonised the UK have ostracised the billionaire who lives in Monaco from his own club.
To such an extent that United put out a statement in response to Ratcliffe’s remarks – and didn’t even bother to mention him. But once he has picked himself up from the bus United threw him under, Ratcliffe will discover his problems are mounting.
And we’re not talking about his reputation being in tatters, or the fact that he is facing an FA investigation into suggestions he’s brought the game into disrepute. Should he still be one of United’s co-owners this summer, and there are now serious doubts this will be the case in light of recent events, he has to announce a long-term replacement for the sacked Ruben Amorim.
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And some of the names on his shortlist can now have a red line struck through them. Thomas Tuchel was United’s preferred choice, but he has just signed a new contract to continue as England boss after the World Cup.
Should England fail in North America this summer, Tuchel could well be sacked and would be available again. But this is not expected to happen.
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Carlo Ancelotti is another target of United’s, but is poised to sign a new deal to continue as Brazil manager. Gareth Southgate, who still has admirers in the United boardroom, is not interested in the job.
Unai Emery has no intention of being persuaded to leave Aston Villa, while Oliver Glasner’s stock has fallen almost as fast in recent weeks as Ratcliffe’s has in this one. Luis Enrique has been spoken to, but is poised to extend his deal with Paris Saint-Germain instead.
Julian Nagelsmann, meanwhile, is under contract with Germany unit 2028. In short, all roads appear to be leading towards Michael Carrick.
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Through no fault of his own, the former United midfielder is now in pole position to get the job on a full-time basis. Not because he has gone five games unbeaten since becoming interim manager, but because his potential rivals for the job are all ruling themselves out, for different reasons. Carrick might just be the best choice anyway, considering the impact he has made in recent weeks.
But at this rate, he might also become the only choice.