Michael Carrick served as Solskjaer’s No.2 at Old Trafford before briefly leading the United first-team as caretaker boss, recording two wins and a draw – but he decided against staying on until the end of the 2021-22 season.
Middlesbrough handed Carrick his first permanent head coaching role in October 2022, and he inherited a squad languishing down in 21st in the Championship, one point above the drop-zone. The former United midfielder oversaw a dramatic turnaround, though, as Boro embarked on a thrilling run to the play-offs, only to suffer a narrow semi-final defeat against Coventry City.
Carrick’s side then made a poor start to the new campaign, but they have won five of their last six Championship games to put themselves back in the mix for another play-off berth. The 42-year-old has been mentioned as a possible successor to Ten Hag, and like McKenna, would be well-equipped to have a transformative effect.
He’s already received backing from Solskjaer, who told The Athletic in May: “Michael is a man of value and principles, a big family man, but his knowledge is also second to none. He’s a winner but he’s still in control of his emotions. I cannot see him not being the Manchester United manager.”
Unai Emery
Unai Emery became one of the top managers in Europe after overachieving at Sevilla, and went on to win a host of trophies at Paris Saint-Germain – albeit while falling short in the Champions League. It felt like a natural fit when Arsenal chose Emery to succeed legendary boss Arsene Wenger in 2018, but he wasn’t able to take the club back into the top-four, and only lasted 18 months at Emirates Stadium.
The Spaniard’s stock plummeted as a result, but he reminded everyone of his unique qualities by masterminding Villarreal’s Europa League triumph over United in 2021 and their unlikely run to the Champions League semi-finals the following season.
Aston Villa brought Emery back to the Premier League last October, and he has since proved that he probably should have been given more time at Arsenal. Villa have risen to fifth after 10 games this term, and are the joint top-scorers in the division. Emery has got the best out of players like Ollie Watkins, Matty Cash and Ezri Konsa, while recruiting exciting talents such as Moussa Diaby and Nicolo Zaniolo.
Emery lifted a squad that had dropped to 14th under Steven Gerrard, and they’re now in with a genuine shout of Champions League qualification. United would be mad not to at least consider the former Arsenal boss, who knows exactly how to maximise his resources and exceed expectations.
Xabi Alonso’s status as Liverpool legend makes him a tough sell for United supporters, but he’s arguably the most promising young coach in the game right now. Bayer Leverkusen were in the Bundesliga relegation zone when he took over in October 2022, but ended up finishing sixth after a herculean effort in the second half of the season. They’ve reached even greater heights this term, leapfrogging champions Bayern Munich to the summit after eight wins and a draw in their opening nine games
Alonso is another manager to have followed a similar tactical blueprint to Guardiola, who he worked with at Bayern during his playing days – and it’s paying off. Leverkusen are a joy to watch under Alonso, having scored 50 goals already this season in just 15 games, and he’s developing a great track record when it comes to improving his players.
He’s destined to step up to an elite club in the near future, and United might just be willing to ignore his Liverpool affiliation given how much potential he has.
Roy Keane
Last but by no means least is United legend Roy Keane, who has not held a head coaching role since his departure from Ipswich way back in 2011. The Irishman struggled at Portman Road but did manage in the Premier League before that at Sunderland, and did also impress in an assistant role for his country between 2013 and 2018.
Keane admitted he is eager to return to the dugout in October, telling the Stick to Football podcast: “I’d like to go back in. I’ve been out of management for a number of years now, but I’m still agitated every Saturday about not having a team and I’ve not managed for 10-11 years, so it never goes away. But it’s about what opportunity you’re going to get. Sunderland wasn’t easy, Ipswich was a tough challenge. It depends on the club, the timing, the contract.”
Ferguson famously engineered Keane’s United exit in 2005 after an explosive fallout, but he returned to the club for the first time in an official capacity when modelling the 2023-24 third kit in the summer. Realistically, Keane won’t be high up on the Red Devils’ list to replace Ten Hag, but stranger things have happened, and the Old Trafford faithful would welcome him with open arms.