When Michael Carrick was tapped in as interim Manchester United manager in mid-January, it was to a rather chilly reception from United legends Roy Keane and Gary Neville. Carrick was a good man, skilled and fit to lead United for the rest of the season, but neither of the two thought this was the coach Manchester United needed for the long run. Now it was no longer possible to bring in newcomers, here it took a Thomas Tuchel, Luis Enrique or Carlo Ancelotti. A month later, it turns out that the entire trio is now making themselves unavailable to Man Utd.
First to Carrick. Four wins in the first four games against Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham, then a draw against West Ham. In other words, five games in a row unbeaten, a statistic Ruben Amorim could look far behind. Not surprisingly, support for Carrick as a permanent coach is increasing among supporters.
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The argument that Manchester United now needs an experienced, rock-solid coach is that the club needs to be led by one of the best coaches in the world, a coach who over time has led the biggest clubs to the biggest titles, and not just a coach with potential and results at “smaller” clubs.
In other words, a Tuchel, Enrique or an Ancelotti. Within a month and a half after Amorim was fired, this strategy takes a real hit.
Carlo Ancelotti
The Italian fox needs no introduction. Has led the biggest clubs in the world to titles, most recently a giant of a coach for Real Madrid in recent years. Before that, he showed what Everton actually have in terms of potential in the Premier League with one of the world’s best coaches at the helm. In May 2025, it was ready to lead the Brazilian national team.
There have been four wins, two draws and two losses – and enough to convince the Brazilian Football Federation. According to The Athletic , there will now be a signing of an extension until 2030.
Thomas Tuchel
On Thursday, it was a smiling Tuchel who signed a contract with the English Football Association until the end of the Euro 2028 playoffs on home soil. The original contract ran until the last game of the World Cup finals this summer, perfectly timed for Man Utd.
Not anymore. A lot can happen in the World Cup finals with Tuchel’s position as national team coach, but the signal is clear: Managing Manchester United is not a dream job for Thomas Tuchel.
Luis Enrique
Luis Enrique has won nine major trophies during his time with Barcelona, including the Champions League in 2015. At PSG, there have been 10 more trophies – including last season’s triumph in the Champions League. It is widely known that Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazers really love Enrique as a coach, with the Spaniard being one of Man Utd’s main targets. It is claimed that United representatives have already been in Paris for talks with Enrique.
The PSG contract expires after the 2026/27 season, it is rumored that United will try to persuade the Spaniard not to sign a new contract with the Ligue 1 giant.
The Daily Mirror claims Enrique will not be persuaded to choose Manchester United anyway, a job that is not perceived as “the right project for him”. The 55-year-old has been in discussions with PSG’s sporting director Luis Campos over a new contract at the Parc des Princes, which will keep him in the French capital until 2030. Enrique has a strong relationship with Campos, who has also just signed a contract extension.
When the time comes for him to leave PSG, it is said that he will prefer a second spell as manager at Barca, rather than go to the Premier League and Manchester United.
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