Man Utd insider drops huge name who is rivalling Michael Carrick for manager job

Michael Carrick's strongest challenger in the race to become the next permanent Manchester United manager has emerged.

United hired Carrick on an interim basis in January following Ruben Amorim's sacking and he's exceeded expectations at Old Trafford.

Carrick has won nine of his 13 games in charge, with the club now two points away from Champions League qualification.

It's a far cry from the state he found the club in when he arrived, marooned in sixth place.

United have remained adamant that there will be a thorough process when making their next hire. They're wary of giving Carrick the permanent job purely based on his time in interim charge, given how that played out when the previous regime hired Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after his stint as caretaker boss.

There is a growing expectation that Carrick will stay beyond the end of the season, but The Telegraph have now reported that a familiar face has impressed INEOS and is a serious contender.

Andoni Iraola is admired within Carrington after impressing during his time with Bournemouth. Iraola, who has received praise for his style of play and how he improves young players, has already announced he'll be leaving the Cherries at the end of the campaign.

The 43-year-old is on the shortlist of several other Premier League clubs. Crystal Palace see him as a potential successor to Oliver Glasner and Chelsea are looking for their sixth permanent manager under the BlueCo regime.

United think Iraola will fit into the current sporting structure despite his lack of big club experience.

However, it's believed Iraola is interested in living in London, despite many believing he was nailed on to become Athletic Bilbao manager.

Should Carrick manage to defeat United's bitter rivals Liverpool on Sunday afternoon and secure a return to the Champions League for the first time since 2023, it'll increase the noise around a permanent appointment.

Carrick met Sir Jim Ratcliffe for an informal chat last week and he remains calm about the situation.

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Other names linked with the Manchester United job

United see Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique as a dream appointment, although he is close to signing a new contract with the reigning European champions.

Mauricio Pochettino and Julian Nagelsmann will be tied up at this summer's World Cup with the United States and Germany, respectively.

The Red Devils previously interviewed England boss Thomas Tuchel in 2024 when Erik ten Hag's future was in doubt. Tuchel put pen to paper on a new deal with the England national team earlier this month, ruling him out.

United's hierarchy also have historical interest in Roberto De Zerbi. Any move for him is now seen as incredibly unlikely after the Italian decided to join Tottenham Hotspur.