Manchester United finalise five-man shortlist to replace Carrick as Napoli confirm Hojlund deal
Manchester United are planning for life after Michael Carrick despite the interim manager's impressive run since replacing Ruben Amorim in January. The club have reportedly settled on five candidates for the permanent job, even as Carrick has guided them to third in the Premier League on 51 points from 29 games.
The five names on the list
Oliver Glasner, who has already confirmed he will leave Crystal Palace at the end of the season, is understood to be among the frontrunners. Unai Emery at Aston Villa and Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth are both under consideration despite being contracted elsewhere. Roberto De Zerbi, currently available after leaving Marseille, and Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann complete the shortlist.
Mauricio Pochettino, now managing the United States, has been linked but reports suggest United do not consider him a serious candidate, with the expectation that he will return to Tottenham. Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti were also explored but their international commitments with England and Brazil made approaches impractical.
Carrick's record speaks for itself
Since taking over from Darren Fletcher, who managed two games as caretaker after Amorim's sacking, Carrick has transformed United's season. The club sat seventh when he arrived and now occupy third place, nine points behind second-placed Manchester City. His 14 wins, 9 draws and 6 defeats have given United genuine Champions League qualification hopes.
Whether the board's search for a permanent appointment undermines Carrick's position or simply reflects standard planning remains a debate within the club. Carrick's contract runs only until the end of the season.
Napoli lock in Hojlund
Separately, Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has confirmed the club will sign Rasmus Hojlund permanently from Manchester United. The Danish striker joined on a season-long loan in September 2025 after falling behind Benjamin Sesko in the pecking order at Old Trafford.
The deal includes an obligation to buy worth approximately 44 million euros if Napoli qualify for the Champions League, but Manna said the club intends to complete the transfer regardless. "He will stay here," Manna told reporters.
Hojlund has scored 9 goals in 24 Serie A appearances and 13 across all competitions this season under Antonio Conte. That represents a clear step up from his final period at United, where he managed 26 goals in 95 appearances across all competitions.
The 44 million euros United will receive from the sale should boost their summer transfer budget as the club looks to rebuild under whoever takes charge permanently.
