Manchester United are reportedly in contact with Antonio Conte with head coach Michael Carrick under increasing pressure following the side's 1-1 draw with Tottenham on Saturday.
The Red Devils were second best for much of the contest and were fortunate to find themselves 1-0 up, only to concede a stoppage-time equaliser to extend their winless run to four games.
It's the second time this season United have failed to beat a side with 10 men, having lost 1-0 to Manchester City when Phil Foden was sent off in the first half.
The results for Manchester United have been bad but the performances have been worse, frequently labouring through games. While Carrick is certainly missing a natural centre forward, with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo deployed up front thus far, he's largely had a fully fit squad to pick from, including a newly bolstered midfield.
Most concerningly for Carrick is the form of captain Bruno Fernandes, who hasn't recorded a goal or assist in the four games since his hat-trick against Ipswich. It was revealed by Portugal boss Jorge Jesus during the international break that Fernandes was managing pain, hence his limited involvement for the national side, and after labouring through the draw with Tottenham, Carrick may have to consider his place in the team, at least in the short term.
United's next three games see them face trips to Atletico de Madrid, Leeds United and Como, and it's not beyond the realms of possibility they lose all three. While the two European defeats could be excused, defeat at Elland Road for the first time in 24 years would severely jeopardise Carrick's position.
Enzo Bucchioni wrote on TUTTOmercatoWEB on Monday that United were already in discussions with Conte in the event that they part ways with Carrick.
A number of names have been tentatively linked with United; Eddie Howe, Conte and Kieran McKenna are all out of work, while Fabian Hurzeler and Julian Nagelsmann would need prising away from Brighton and Germany respectively.
