There's One 'Obvious' Candidate - Stefan Borson drops Man United next manager verdict

Kieran McKenna to Manchester United would make a lot of sense, but the former Ipswich Town boss would represent a "big challenge".

That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider that the 40-year-old would also struggle with the current squad.

McKenna has been out of work since he stepped down at Portman Road in the summer, ending his five-year association with the Tractor Boys.

Since, he has been linked with several high-profile jobs, and was even spotted at Tottenham Hotspur's goalless draw with Everton on Saturday, 12 September.

Borson has already told Football Insider how "strange" he found the sighting at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, now suggesting that a move to Old Trafford would make more sense.

McKenna has previous experience with the Red Devils, having spent time with the Under-18s before also working as a first-team coach and assistant manager at Man United.

Kieran McKenna to Man United 'a bit too obvious'

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson believes that McKenna would be a predictable replacement for an under-pressure Michael Carrick.

"It would [make sense]. I think maybe that was a bit too obvious, but I think there's going to be big challenge if you bring in Kieran McKenna anyway," he said.

"It's going to look a lot like a Michael Carrick and a, [Ole Gunnar] Solskjaer, and not former legends, but they're people that have come out of the coaching staff.

"This is the problem. This is part of the mix of decision. It's not going to just be, 'Do we want his character in the job?', but it's who they're to get to replace him.

"How's that going to be different? How's that new manager going to do better with the players that we can give that new manager?"

Is Michael Carrick really at risk?

It certainly hasn't been the best of starts to the 2026-27 campaign for the Red Devils, who are sitting 13th in the Premier League after four games.

Carrick's side put four goals past Sabah FK in the Champions League, but they have now been knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton.

Mick Brown has told Football Insider that United have no plans to change managers already, but that could quickly change at Old Trafford.

Upcoming fixtures against Fulham, Tottenham and Atletico Madrid could certainly decide Carrick's fate, but those games are separated by a three-week international break.