Gary Lineker warns Cesc Fabregas that Man Utd is a graveyard
Gary Lineker warned Cesc Fabregas that taking the Manchester United job would be a graveyard move, just as the former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder celebrated a 4‑1 Champions League victory with his Como side over United on Wednesday in a stunning display at Old Trafford.
Lineker's graveyard warning
Lineker made the comment on the Rest is Football podcast, saying, “He’s going to have a big decision at some point because if he continues to have even moderate success with Como a big club will come in for him. It might be United. If he takes that job, he’d be mad! It’s a graveyard really.” The remark was reported by Sport journalist James Whaling at 10:09 on 24 Oct 2026.
Former England striker Alan Shearer echoed Lineker’s caution, noting that United is a huge club but “not an attractive job at the minute, because of how many managers have been in there and how many have been sacked.” He added that the only lure might be a substantial pay‑off in twelve or eighteen months.
Red Devils boss Michael Carrick is under huge pressure after United were swatted aside 4‑1 by Fabregas’ Como side in the Champions League on Wednesday. The defeat has intensified scrutiny of Carrick’s tenure at Old Trafford, where the club’s recent record has raised questions about stability.
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Fabregas's rise at Como
Fabregas, a former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder, has made a huge impression as a rookie boss at Como, guiding the Italian side to the Champions League knockout stage. His success has led to speculation that he could replace Carrick should the Old Trafford hierarchy decide to make a change.
The Spaniard admitted he told his team to “slow down” when they were 4‑0 up, a decision he later regretted. “I regret the last ten minutes because I was the one who told the team to slow down the tempo,” he said, adding that the move cost them intensity.
Fabregas also reflected on the opposition’s goal, saying, “Their goal hurt me because we dropped our intensity and dropped our defensive block, but it was my fault.” He stressed that he always pushes his players to fight until the end.
The contrast between Lineker’s warning and Fabregas’s early triumph underlines the risk of moving from a rising Italian project to the so‑called graveyard of the Theatre of Dreams. Whether the former England star’s caution will sway Fabregas’s next career move remains to be seen.