Jamie Carragher tells Man Utd to hire Premier League manager to replace Michael Carrick | Football

Jamie Carragher believes Unai Emery should be Manchester United’s first target if they decide to sack Michael Carrick.

Carrick’s job at Old Trafford is hanging by a thread following Sunday’s shocking 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth.

Manchester United have won just two of their 12 games so far this season and are 16th in the Premier League, one point above the relegation zone.

It appears only a matter of time before Carrick gets the boot and Carragher views Emery as the standout candidate to take over at United.

Emery, 54, has enjoyed a strong spell in charge of Aston Villa since joining the Midlands club in 2022, guiding them into the Champions League and to Europa League glory last season.

The Spaniard previously enjoyed success at PSG, Sevilla and Villarreal, with the only blemish on his record a disappointing stint in charge of Arsenal.

‘He is a manager I look at when I think about Manchester United,’ Carragher said on Sky Sports when asked about potential replacements for Carrick.

‘People say behind the scenes at Aston Villa, he runs the whole club. Sir Alex Ferguson did that at Manchester United. It’s not just the United way, it’s the way in football generally.

‘I think Emery is the best manager in the Premier League. But I’ve got this thing with him. Yes, his record in the Europa League is amazing, but surely somebody who is that successful wants to be known in the Champions League?

‘He wants to win the Champions League. He’s not going to do that at Aston Villa. He’s had two experiences that haven’t gone particularly well for him, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal.

‘And I just think surely he would want that opportunity to prove himself at an absolute giant of a football club. Sorry, Villa fans.’

The issue for Manchester United in regards to a pursuit of Emery is Sky Sports say he ‘remains committed’ to the project at Aston Villa.

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, who has also been linked with the Old Trafford job, is believed to be in a similar headspace.

Ex-Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe and former Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann have admirers at United and both are believed to be open to taking the job.

Antonio Conte would also accept an offer from Manchester United but the Italian has dropped down the list of candidates.

Following United’s desperately disappointing defeat to Bournemouth, Carragher said of Carrick’s future: ‘He needs to be relieved of his duties tonight.

‘Not just for the good of Manchester United but also for the good of Michael Carrick. Manchester United need to make that decision tonight.’

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