Man United faced with tough Michael Carrick sack decision after replacement offered huge opportunity abroad

A top European side may force United to make a decision on Michael Carrick's future early following the draw with Leeds United.

Manchester United may be forced to make an early decision on sacking Michael Carrick as their top replacement target could be about to secure another big job.

As Carrick's Manchester United arrived at Elland Road to face fierce rivals Leeds United, many felt that they had to win if Carrick was to keep his job amid his dismal start to the season.

Instead, goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Dominic Calvert-Lewin resulted in a 1-1 draw that has left United's board with a tough decision about Carrick's future as rumoured replacement target Antonio Conte has now been linked with another major European side.

READ MORE: Daniel Farke just exposed key Man Utd issue in two words after Leeds draw and fans are not happy

Across their opening seven Premier League matches, United have won just one, with their most recent win in any competition being the 4-0 thrashing of Azerbaijani club Sabah on September 10.

Carrick may believe the draw with Leeds was a 'fresh start' for his side, but that doesn't change that he's led the club to their worst start to a season since 1986.

As doubts over Carrick's future have continued to circulate, so too have links between United and Premier League veteran Conte, who is currently available after leaving Napoli at the end of the last season.

But, United clearly aren't the only club that have noticed Conte's availability, as a report from Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb has claimed that Juventus are now in the picture for their former player and manager.

After losing 3-0 to Lazio in their latest fixture on Sunday night, Juventus fans in the Allianz Stadium in Turin could be heard chanting Conte's name as current manager Luciano Spalletti faces mounting pressure over his future.

As it stands, the Italian giants are down in eighth in the Serie A, sitting with 11 points from seven matches so far.

And after Conte admitted that he wanted to 'restore the identity of a great club' in a recent interview, it is the view of Italian football journalist Daniele Fisichella that he would choose Juventus over United if both offer him a job.

"I think if Manchester United comes knocking, Conte would feel ready to take on the challenge," he said on talkSPORT.

"Although, I do feel that his favourite solution would still be Juventus.

"Following tonight's result (3-0 defeat against Lazio), maybe he's a step closer to going back to Turin, or staying in Turin because that's where he lives and likes to live."

However, it's not all bad news for United fans, as Fisichella added that there is still one reason why Conte could decide to join United even when presented with the chance to return to a club where he made over 400 appearances, winning five Serie A titles and the 1995/96 Champions League.

Fisichella added: "But, after leaving Spurs a couple of years ago, the family circumstances, his personal circumstances have changed – his family would be more ready for him to move back to England again.

"He really likes to stay close to his family, but now his daughter has grown and going to university, there is not such a need for him to stay in Italy.

"He's got very strong family ties but he also feels that, by going back to England, it's the place where he would be more likely to win a Champions League anytime soon, rather than in Italy.

"That's what he really needs to do to complete his career. So, if Manchester United come asking, I think he would feel ready to do that, and I think it would be a brilliant appointment for United.

"A short-term one, no doubt about it, but a quick fix, a good fix for a team that's underperforming."

READ MORE: Five Man Utd stars Antonio Conte would instantly axe if he replaces Michael Carrick

Topics: Michael Carrick, Antonio Conte, Premier League, Football News, Juventus

Ben McCrum is a Sports Journalist at SPORTbible, covering Formula One, MMA, football and golf, previously working with TNT Sports and Manchester Evening News, having achieved gold standard in his NCTJ diploma in multimedia Sports Journalism with News Associates. Alongside writing articles, he's busy winning the office Last Man Standing competition and FPL League (finishing 32nd in the world in 2024/25).

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