Man United's preferred Michael Carrick replacement is manager club turned down

Manchester United's preferred replacement for Michael Carrick is a manager they turned down a few years back, reports claim.

Carrick was kept on by United after a stunning spell as caretaker boss at the end of last season saw the Red Devils finish third and return to the Champions League.

But they have started new campaign slowly, with just one win from four games.

United have lost to Hull City and rivals Manchester City in Sunday's derby, as well as drawing with Everton.

Their only win is a 5-2 victory over newly promoted Ipswich Town.

Man United pick Antonio Conte as preferred replacement for Michael Carrick

A hock report in Italy claims that United could consider Carrick's future given the shoddy start - with Antonio Conte reportedly at the very top of INEOS' managerial shortlist.

As per Sport Witness, the print edition of the Corriere della Sera newspaper claims that Conte is awaiting offers to return the game after leaving Napoli at the end of last season.

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He is said to be weighing up a return to club management, where he has lifted 10 major trophies and a total of six league titles.

In England, he won the Premier League in his first season with Chelsea before winning the FA Cup. He also took charge of Spurs before leaving via mutual consent and later winning another Serie A title with Chelsea.

Man United had reservations about Antonio Conte in the past

Conte has been linked with the United job on more than one occasion but negotiations never seemed to progress.

In 2021, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer under pressure and ultimately losing his job, Conte to United appeared to have some legs in it.

The Guardian claimed that Conte was keen and willing to take the job in the middle of the season even though it is not normally a move he makes.

However, the Manchester Evening News reported that officials at United were not convinced about appointing him.

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According a report from The Independent, United did not ponder regarding approaching Conte and had immediate reservations - the biggest being his confrontational managerial approach.

They feared that it would be a repeat scenario as Jose Mourinho, who was accused of creating a toxic working environment that needed to be rectified through a 'cultural reset'.

Conte is not known for staying at clubs for an extended period and normally moves on quickly in the short term.

While he is a proven winner, Conte is among the most outspoken coaches in the game and never afraid to criticise owners and players.

United passed and brought in a caretaker in Ralf Rangnick, who ironically dissected the club's issues in public. Erik ten Hag later came in as the permanent replacement, with Conte taking the Spurs job.

He left the club after an explosive press conference following a 3-3 draw with Southampton in March 2023. Conte called out his own players and the club's mentality, leading to the mutual termination of his deal.

United return to action on Wednesday when they take on Brighton in the Carabao Cup third round.