Fabian Hurzeler is ‘completely focused’ on his job at Brighton amid speculation he could replace Michael Carrick at Manchester United.
A damaging 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League compounded a poor start to the season for United and piled the pressure even further on Carrick.
The Red Devils have now won just two of their first 11 games of the new season in all competitions and are winless in their last seven matches.
And the public questioning of Carrick’s methods by club captain Bruno Fernandes will only heighten the uncertainty around the club ahead of a pivotal run of fixtures.
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Reports suggest that Carrick still maintains the support of senior figures at Old Trafford, but this weekend’s game against Bournemouth is looking increasingly pivotal to his future.
Former Chelsea and Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte, currently out of work following his decision to leave Napoli at the end of last season, is said to be keen on the job.
Julian Nagelsmann and Eddie Howe are both also out of jobs and said to be in the running, while Hurzeler’s bright start to the season at Brighton has seen his name mentioned, too.
But transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has insisted that the Brighton boss has no current desire fa move to Old Trafford to potentially replace Carrick.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: ‘Fabian Hurzeler is doing fantastic at Brighton.
‘Manchester United have someone on their board who really appreciates Fabian Hurzeler, but that’s it; at the moment, he’s completely focused on Brighton.’
Next Man Utd manager odds
Eddie Howe 9/4
Antonio Conte 5/1
Fabian Hurzeler 5/1
Julian Nagelsmann 7/1
Kieran McKenna 8/1
Cesc Fabregas 11/1
(Odds courtesy of Betfair)
Speaking recently, former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer talked up Hurzeler’s credentials as a potential successor for Carrick.
‘If Michael Carrick is relieved of his duties, Fabian Hurzeler would be a good replacement, but it’s a very different model at Brighton,’ Shearer told Betfair.
‘I guess the manager you’d also look at is Eddie Howe. You’d look at Antonio Conte as well.
‘Whether you like it or not, that’s what happens when you’re not winning football matches and when you’re at one of the biggest clubs in the world so you have to accept that, and I’m pretty sure Michael Carrick does.
‘That’s why Michael desperately needs some results or he’s going to continue to get names linked with his job.’
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