Kieran McKenna eyes United job as Carrick faces mounting pressure

Kieran McKenna Wants Talks With Man Utd to replace Michael Carrick as the Red Devils struggle after just one Premier League win and five points from a possible fifteen. United have been criticised for low work rate, and a compensation fee of £7m would be due to Ipswich if McKenna joins before July 2027.

Carrick under pressure at United

Michael Carrick’s tenure at United has been shaky; the former midfielder has secured only one win in the league so far this season. The club’s owners, INEOS, have reportedly set a deadline of the next international break to reverse results, warning that a change could follow if performances do not improve.

McKenna and other managerial options

Kieran McKenna, who departed Ipswich ahead of the 2026/2027 season, is described as a "world‑class" coach after guiding the club from League One to the Premier League in back‑to‑back promotions and later restoring Ipswich to the top flight. While he has not yet faced the pressure of managing a club of United’s stature, his track record makes him an upgrade on Carrick in the eyes of many observers.

Reports also suggest that Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler is on United’s shortlist. Former United scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that the club would be “very keen” on Hurzeler should Carrick depart, noting the Brighton boss’s recent success in keeping his side in the top three of the Premier League.

Here, Football FanCast has highlighted McKenna’s openness to discussions with United, confirming that he is preparing for a return to management and is willing to hold talks with the club.

Matt Smith, a football writer for GIVEMESPORT, provides the background to the story. He joined the company in March 2023, is an avid Everton supporter and previously worked for CaughtOffside covering transfers and match reports. Smith also contributes to Squakwa, FotMob and WhoScored, and regularly appears to discuss Everton. Beyond writing, Matt creates tactical analysis content for social media and provides match commentary for the Premier League website. He has amassed over 28,000 followers on X, where he shares his football insight, focusing largely on tactical aspects of the game.

Exclusive coverage from GIVEMESPORT has graded United’s players this season, concluding that McKenna would represent a significant upgrade in coaching quality. Whether United decide to act before the next international break remains to be seen, but the club’s hierarchy appears to be weighing both McKenna and Hurzeler as potential successors to Carrick.