Former Premier League manager ‘keen’ to replace Michael Carrick at Manchester United

Manchester United have placed Roberto De Zerbi on their managerial shortlist as they prepare to appoint Ruben Amorim’s permanent replacement.

Michael Carrick has emerged as one of the leading contenders for the Old Trafford job following his impressive spell as caretaker manager.

Ex-Manchester United midfielder Carrick won his first four games in charge of the Red Devils, overseeing surprising victories over rivals Man City and title favourites Arsenal.

Carrick in fact went seven games before suffering his first defeat, United’s unbeaten run coming to an end against Newcastle United last week.

Despite that first setback, Manchester United remain third in the Premier League – they were fifth at the time of Amorim’s sacking – and on course to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

But while Carrick has certainly boosted his chances of getting the job on a full-time basis, United are keeping their options open and do not intend to make their decision until the end of the season.

England manager Thomas Tuchel and Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner were believed to be two of the leading candidates for the Manchester United job when Amorim departed after 14 months in charge.

But Tuchel has since signed a contract extension with the Three Lions while Glasner has received criticism for the way he is handling his impending departure from Selhurst Park.

There are of course other options available to Manchester United and the Daily Telegraph says De Zerbi ‘figures prominently on their shortlist’.

De Zerbi, 46, enjoyed an impressive spell at Brighton before leaving the Premier League in 2024 and taking over at Marseille.

The passionate Italian led Marseille to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 last season and enjoyed a promising start to the current campaign before agreeing to step down in February.

De Zerbi has aspirations of returning to the Premier League and is ‘keen’ to take over at Manchester United, according to The Telegraph.

It is claimed his front-foot-style of attacking football is admirer by senior figures at Old Trafford, while Manchester City bosses have also been impressed.

Jaap Stam has gone public with his backing of De Zerbi for the Manchester United job, insisting he would be ‘very happy’ if he was chosen as Amorim’s long-term replacement.

‘I like De Zerbi very much, you know, because of how he performed at Brighton and also in Marseille,’ Stam said.

‘How he’s playing with his teams, because he plays possession-based football, he’s very good on the ball. He also sets the players in certain positions that it makes it really difficult for the opposition to press them.

‘You know, he’s going forward, he attacks. Scores a lot of goals, sometimes concedes, but you know that as a manager.

‘But I think he’s also a good man-manager. I think he’s also good with the players and giving them the confidence, giving them the attention they need – and not only the starting XI, but also the other players within the squad.

‘That’s what you need in a big club like Man United. So I would be very happy if they don’t go for Carrick, and that they go for him.’

Tottenham have been heavily linked with De Zerbi, first after Ange Postecoglou was sacked last summer and then after his replacement Thomas Frank was axed last month.

Spurs have already held talks about appointing De Zerbi in the summer but that would rely on the north London side avoiding relegation to the Championship.

Five straight Premier League defeats has left Tottenham 16th in the table, just one point above the dreaded drop zone.

The tests do not get any easier for Spurs, who face reigning Premier League champions Liverpool on Sunday. Manchester United, meanwhile, return to action the same day against Aston Villa.

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