Jamie Carragher has urged Manchester United to consider Aston Villa manager Unai Emery as their next permanent boss if they decide to part ways with Michael Carrick, describing the Spaniard as the best manager in the Premier League.
Carragher believes Emery possesses the tactical expertise, leadership qualities and managerial experience required to rebuild United and restore their status among England’s leading clubs.
The former Liverpool defender’s recommendation comes amid growing pressure on Carrick following Manchester United’s disappointing 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth. According to the supplied report, United have won just two of their opening 12 matches in all competitions and sit 16th in the Premier League table, leaving the club facing serious questions about its direction.
The poor results have intensified scrutiny of Carrick’s position, with concerns growing over whether he can deliver the consistency required at Old Trafford.
Although changing managers would represent another significant decision for the club’s hierarchy, Carragher believes United should use any potential vacancy as an opportunity to pursue a proven coach rather than make another appointment based primarily on reputation or familiarity with the club.
For him, Emery stands out as a particularly attractive candidate.
The Aston Villa manager has built a reputation as one of Europe’s most accomplished tacticians, having enjoyed considerable success in continental competitions and helped Villa establish themselves among the Premier League’s competitive sides since his arrival in 2022.
His previous achievements with Sevilla and Villarreal demonstrated his ability to organise teams, prepare effectively for major matches and compete against opponents with greater financial resources.
Carragher also believes Emery’s influence extends beyond the touchline. He pointed to the Spaniard’s extensive involvement in the running of Aston Villa, arguing that Manchester United need a manager capable of shaping the wider football operation rather than concentrating exclusively on first-team training and matchday tactics.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Carragher explained why Emery would be high on his list of potential appointments at Old Trafford.
“He is a manager I look at when I think about Manchester United,” the former defender said.
Carragher drew comparisons between Emery’s responsibilities at Villa and the authority Sir Alex Ferguson once exercised at Manchester United, suggesting that a successful manager must be able to influence the club’s overall footballing direction.
He went further by describing Emery as the best manager currently working in the Premier League.
However, Carragher also identified one question surrounding the Spaniard’s career: whether he can translate his impressive record in European competitions into success in the Champions League with one of football’s biggest clubs.
Emery has enjoyed considerable success in the Europa League, winning the competition multiple times with Sevilla and Villarreal. Those achievements have established him as one of the most successful managers in the tournament’s history.
Nevertheless, Carragher believes the opportunity to compete for the Champions League could appeal to Emery if Manchester United were to make a serious approach.
“He wants to win the Champions League. He’s not going to do that at Aston Villa,” Carragher said, while acknowledging the scale of the challenge facing the club.
The former Liverpool defender also referred to Emery’s previous experiences at Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal, suggesting that managing a global football powerhouse such as Manchester United could offer the Spaniard another opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities at the highest level.
However, persuading Emery to leave Aston Villa would be far from straightforward.
The manager has invested considerable effort in building Villa into a competitive Premier League side, and leaving that project would require a compelling sporting proposition. Manchester United would need to demonstrate that they have a clear long term strategy, an effective recruitment structure and the patience required to support a managerial rebuild.
The club’s decision makers would also need to establish whether Emery’s tactical approach and preferred working methods fit the structure they intend to build at Old Trafford.
Other candidates could enter the conversation if United decide to make a change. The supplied report mentions Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler, former Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe and Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann among the names being discussed. Antonio Conte is also mentioned as a possible option, although his position on United’s reported shortlist remains unconfirmed.
For now, Carragher’s comments add to the growing debate about the direction Manchester United should take if Carrick fails to turn the team’s fortunes around.
United’s immediate priority remains improving results and regaining consistency. Yet the possibility of another managerial change raises a broader question about whether the club can identify a coach capable of delivering sustained success rather than another short lived revival.
Carragher’s preference is clear. He believes Emery has the experience, tactical intelligence and authority to take on the challenge.
Whether Manchester United share that assessment, and whether the Aston Villa manager would be willing to leave his current project, remain unanswered questions.
