Manchester United succumbed to an eighth game in a row without a win after being smashed 3-0 against Bournemouth at Old Trafford, putting the Red Devils 16th in the Premier League.  

Given the atmosphere around the club and the way in which Michael Carrick waved towards the Stretford End, it was expected that the United legend would be relieved of his duties. 

However, reports emerged today that Carrick will remain as the United manager for at least the game against Chelsea on the weekend. 

Despite the sudden backing towards the manager, this has not stopped numerous reports from continuing to circulate about his replacement. 

Antonio Conte has been linked to the Manchester United job for the last decade, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking in 2021 being the closest he got. However, since being out of work after leaving Napoli in the summer, now is the best chance the Italian has at taking over United.

The former Premier League winner with Chelsea recently posted on Instagram, distancing himself from links to jobs, but it was not an outright rejection of opportunities that could come his way. 

The other main competitors for the job are Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann, but Conte has strong support from many fans, including Paul Scholes. The former midfielder spoke on his podcast, The Good, The Bad and The Football, and held the Italian in the highest regard. 

He said:  “I think Conte’s the best one around. When I’m talking best in class and you talk them four, I think Antonio Conte’s miles ahead of all of them. You think Juventus, he went to Napoli and goes and wins the league with them.

“He’s volatile, I know he’s volatile and might be a bit of a madman, but when you talk about successful managers at top clubs he’s streets ahead."

Given the precedent INEOS have set at Manchester United, it feels unlikely that Conte would be someone they would consider working with unless all other options reject them. 

They had friction with the likes of Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, which, in the case of the latter, ultimately led to the end of his time as manager of United due to his outspoken nature in his final press conference and clashes with Jason Wilcox. 

While Conte certainly has all the credentials and the personality to lead United and handle the pressure, it does feel more like an Ed Woodward appointment than an INEOS-style appointment, wanting a head coach rather than a manager figure. 

Furthermore, the potential finances surrounding his contract, as well as any transfers he would want, add to further reasons as to why INEOS would be unlikely to hire him as their first or second choice.