Jamie Carragher names 'perfect' candidate to be new Man Utd manager that no-one's mentioned

Jamie Carragher has identified the "perfect" candidate to become the next Manchester United manager as speculation continues to swirl around one of football's biggest jobs.

Since the acrimonious departure of Ruben Amorim in January, United have enjoyed a significant upturn in form under interim manager Michael Carrick.

The Reds have moved from sixth to third in the Premier League table, with Carrick winning six of his eight matches in charge, a run that has featured victories over Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham.

As a result, the 44-year-old is currently the bookies' favourite to take charge for United's first game of the 2026/27 season, while Oliver Glasner, Gareth Southgate and Robert de Zerbi are also priced up as having a decent chance.

Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique have also been discussed as potential candidates, but to the surprise of Jamie Carragher, one Premier League manager has not been part of the conversation.

"The puzzling question is why?" asked Carragher in his column for The Telegraph.

Carrick has enjoyed a positive start to life as United interim. Image credit: Getty

The former Liverpool defender, who is widely regarded as one of the best pundits in the game, believes Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has the track record and authority to transform United.

"Unai Emery should be heading to Old Trafford this weekend as the front-runner to become the next Manchester United manager," Carragher said ahead of Sunday's clash between the two clubs.

"Here is a manager who wins trophies, has a clear football vision, a track record of revitalising clubs in need of a mini-revolution to break into the Champions League, and who demands respect while leading with authority.

"Add the fact he is now proven in the Premier League, and such coaches are in short supply. Instead, United appear to be seduced by other candidates."

Carragher goes on to name Thomas Tuchel, Luis Enrique and Carlo Ancelotti as being part of the conversation, but pointed at Emery's track record at Valencia, Villarreal, Sevilla and Villa as proof of his qualities.

However, based on the circumstances surrounding Amorim's departure, it's safe to say Emery would not be given the control he currently has at Aston Villa.

Amorim's relationship with director of football Jason Wilcox had become strained after United were 'reluctant' to sanction the signings he wanted to fit into his 3-4-3 system, according to The Guardian.

Carragher mentioned the "friction" it might cause if Emery were appointed.

"Emery is one of the few symbols of a bygone era when managers wanted and assumed complete control of a club's football operations. Once he was thriving at Villa, it was an easy decision for the hierarchy to allow Emery to proceed with minimal interference," he said.

Carragher believes Emery would be the "perfect" coach to revive Manchester United. Image credit: Getty

"Whenever Emery's name is referenced in connection to a 'bigger' job, Villa fans argue that he would never have the same love and power at one of the traditional Champions League teams, and they have a point. Sporting directors are proving adept at making themselves the most important people in the room.

"Appointing Emery is effectively a means of enhancing the role of the manager and diminishing that of the directors. That would therefore be a likely cause of friction in the future."