Brighton have no intention of letting Fabian Hürzeler leave for Manchester United. According to multiple reports in the English press, the Amex Stadium hierarchy is unconcerned by the speculation linking him to Old Trafford and is in no mood to entertain a mid-season approach.
The numbers alone would make a pursuit awkward. Hürzeler signed a long-term contract in May that runs until June 2029, with no release clause included. Any club chasing him would face a world-record compensation demand, more than Chelsea paid Brighton for Graham Potter or Bayern Munich paid RB Leipzig for Julian Nagelsmann.
Hürzeler himself is also said to have little appetite for a switch. The German is “not interested in leaving Brighton for Manchester United”, according to transfer reporter Ben Jacobs, even as his name is discussed inside Old Trafford as a possible successor to Michael Carrick.
Como defeat exposes Carrick
Manchester United’s manager search gathered pace after Wednesday’s 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como, which sparked a public row between Carrick and captain Bruno Fernandes.
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“It’s a decision from the staff to not press man-to-man,” Fernandes said after the game.
Pundit Jamie Carragher called the comments “an absolute disgrace”.
Carrick’s reply was pointed.
“If you don’t run back, you ain’t going to win,” he said.
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Nagelsmann the frontrunner
Among the candidates being considered, Nagelsmann is reportedly the leading name. The former Bayern Munich and Germany head coach has been available since leaving the national-team role earlier this year.
Eddie Howe, Antonio Conte, Unai Emery and Cesc Fàbregas have also been linked with the job as part of Manchester United’s due diligence on possible replacements. Hürzeler’s name features on the same shortlist, even if Brighton’s position suggests he will not come off it easily.
Carrick will remain in charge for Sunday’s home game against Bournemouth, with kick-off at 2pm local time.
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