The replacement talk around Manchester United has swung to a Brighton name. The Express reported on Wednesday that United’s hierarchy has identified Fabian Hurzeler as the man they want to succeed Michael Carrick, placing the German coach above long-linked candidate Antonio Conte in the club’s internal thinking.
Hurzeler signed a three-year Brighton contract in summer 2026, and his record against United reads four wins in six meetings, according to the same report. Andoni Iraola and Oliver Glasner are also named on the same shortlist.
Any approach would come with a sizeable compensation bill. Brighton owner Tony Bloom has already made his stance on bigger clubs circling his staff publicly clear.
“I never worry about losing anyone at the football club,” Bloom said. “He’s done really well during the first two seasons at the football club and as we expected, of course.”
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INEOS still publicly backing Carrick
The Express framing of an approved replacement does not match what other reporters are hearing. David Ornstein of The Athletic said on Wednesday that there is no appetite inside the club to move Carrick on yet.
“I don’t know of any desire to get rid of Carrick. On the contrary, they are right behind him and want him to succeed,” Ornstein said.
He added that the backing will not survive another extended poor run.
“But you’re right behind somebody at any club until you’re not,” Ornstein said, pointing to the hierarchy’s “concern about the results and certainly the performances.”
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Fabrizio Romano offered the same reading.
“Nothing last minute, nothing like tonight or in the morning or in the next hours, is expected at Manchester United in terms of managerial changes,” Romano said.
Romano has also reported that United have not yet made contact with any potential successor.
The Atletico defeat and six points from six
The timing of the replacement talk is driven by results. Carrick’s side lost 2-0 at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday. Pablo Barrios opened the scoring inside the opening minute, and Ademola Lookman added a second after Leny Yoro was sent off in the 74th.
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United are 13th in the Premier League with six points from six matches and have gone five games without a win across all competitions. Appointed interim head coach on 13 January 2026, Carrick has not been afforded a long leash.
Conte open to a mid-season move
Antonio Conte, out of work since leaving Napoli, remains the name circling the job. According to Italian journalist Daniele Longo of Calciomercato, Conte “wants the Manchester United job” and “feels ready for a new challenge in the Premier League.”
Romano has reported a shift in Conte’s usual approach. The Italian would consider arriving mid-season, something he has previously resisted.
“Antonio Conte would be open this year…to taking a job mid-season” if it involves “a club with a big history,” Romano said.
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Nothing on either name has moved beyond reporting. The Express has Hurzeler as the pick, Italian reporting has Conte wanting the job and open to a mid-season switch, and Romano says United have not opened talks with anyone.
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