Michael Carrick’s potential successor names two key changes Man Utd must make as major Julian Nagelsmann issue emerges

Julian Nagelsmann has emerged as a strong contender to replace Michael Carrick at Manchester United, and he is already aware of two issues he must immediately fix.

On Friday (October 23), Carrick sat down for an emotional press conference ahead of United's home clash against Bournemouth this weekend, days after their humiliating 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League.

The 45-year-old has come under increasing pressure from senior officials at Old Trafford after failing to win their last seven matches in all competitions, with several managers emerging as possible replacements.

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Julian Nagelsmann must make two key changes if he joins Man United

Former Chelsea and Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte is one of the strongest contenders to return to the Premier League, though the Italian released a statement on Friday, in which he revealed that negotiations with any club weren't at an "advanced stage".

Julian Nagelsmann is another name heading a shortlist of potential successors. The 39-year-old is currently out of work after resigning from his role as Germany manager in July following their disappointing World Cup round of 32 exit to Paraguay.

According to reports, Nagelsmann is immediately available and interested in hearing of a proposal from the club, should they part ways with Carrick.

The Englishman will take charge of their Premier League showdown with Bournemouth on Sunday, but beyond that, his future is unclear, and a negative result at Old Trafford could lead to Jason Wilcox pulling the trigger.

Anyone who replaces Carrick will enter a poisoned chalice after many managers have tried and failed to take United back to the summit of English football.

A report from The Telegraph, therefore, states that the 'biggest priority' of any manager who replaces Carrick is 'bringing the dressing room into line', while a source close to one of the candidates has said: "It’s clear they need order and discipline. The dressing room is out of control, and that is the first thing to fix.”

The futures of Lisandro Martinez and Bruno Fernandes are the two biggest issues Nagelsmann must resolve if he joins the club. Martinez called out Man United's transfer strategy after their Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid, and even bigger cracks formed following the 4-1 loss to Como.

Fernandes directly slammed Carrick for his tactics, stating that it was the manager's decision not to press man-to-man before admitting that his side had to be braver under pressure.

Martinez and Fernandes see their contracts expire next summer, and moving them on is one of the key changes any incoming manager must make, alongside getting control of the other outspoken players in the dressing room.

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How Julian Nagelsmann's managerial record compares with Michael Carrick as key issue emerges

The above report adds that 'Nagelsmann would want assurances over the structure' above him, having previously snubbed Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea jobs over that issue.

It is clear the German tactician wants control over transfers, an assurance Chelsea gave Xabi Alonso before appointing him as their new manager in May.

United will perhaps need to follow a similar strategy to persuade one of their contenders to join and, if it is Nagelsmann, here is how he compares to Carrick.

Across his managerial career at RB Leipzig, Bayern, Hoffenheim and Germany, Nagelsmann has won 247 of his 432 matches, resulting in a win percentage of around 57 per cent.

Carrick, meanwhile, during a spell at Middlesbrough and now United, has won 79 of his 165 matches at the time of writing, with a 47 per cent win rate.