Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Thu 16 April 2026 8:15, UK

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Julian Nagelsmann is among the favourites to take over at Manchester United this summer as decision-makers weigh up all of their options.

Michael Carrick remains the overwhelming favourite to be handed the job permanently, after making a superb impact as an interim manager.

Man United have won seven of 11 Premier League games since he arrived, and are well on course to qualify for the Champions League.

Monday’s 2-1 defeat at the hands of Leeds United has thrown some doubts into the mix, however, and a poor end to the season could still see decision-makers look elsewhere.

Man United’s next manager is a choice that they simply cannot afford to make a mistake on, with a string of poor appointments having left the club in disrepute.

Julian Nagelsmann among Man United contenders

Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness exclusively told Football Insider last week that Nagelsmann is an option for Man United if the appointment of Carrick is ultimately opted against.

The former Bayern Munich manager will take Germany to the World Cup this summer, and is under contract until 2028.

There is a feeling that he could be ready to return to club football after the tournament, however, with his time at the Allianz Arena being brought to a premature end in 2023.

Nagelsmann first attracted attention during his time at Hoffenheim, where he took a team that had finished 15th in the previous season to their highest-ever Bundesliga finish of fourth.

The following season, they would break that record again and finish third, qualifying for the Champions League.

Leipzig snapped up the young manager in 2019, and he would guide his team to third and second place finishes in his two years in charge.

Then came Bayern, where Nagelsmann would win the Bundesliga in his first season, but despite being just one point behind Borussia Dortmund and in the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal and the Champions League, he was sacked in March of his second campaign.

One major bookmaker has slashed Nagelsmann’s odds of taking over Man United to 9/2 in recent hours, while Carrick’s odds have drifted to 7/4.

Michael Carrick faces key Man United test

Decision-makers will be paying close attention to how Carrick negotiates the final six Premier League games of the season, and especially the next couple of games.

Man United’s defeat at Old Trafford on Monday also saw Lisandro Martinez sent off, joining the already suspended Harry Maguire.

With Matthijs de Ligt and Patrick Dorgu injured, it is a defensive crisis for Carrick, and his response will be key.

Despite all of the good work he has done, a poor ending to the season could be detrimental to his chances of staying on permanently.