Manchester United Told to Look at Kieran McKenna if Carrick Loses His Job

Manchester United have been urged to think about bringing back former assistant coach Kieran McKenna if Michael Carrick ends up getting sacked.

Carrick is under real pressure right now after two defeats in a row, first against Manchester City in the derby and then against Brighton. The loss to Brighton was especially painful. United crashed out of the Carabao Cup 3-2 on Wednesday night, and it was the first time in 50 years they'd lost a home game after being two goals up.

If United lose again away at Fulham on Saturday, the questions about Carrick's future are only going to get louder.

talkSPORT's Alan Brazil threw McKenna's name into the conversation during Friday's Breakfast show, saying people may have forgotten about him.

"I think Kieran McKenna. People seem to forget about Kieran," Brazil said. "He will come back into football, he's very, very bright and started at Man United."

When asked directly if McKenna was the right man for the job, Brazil wasn't so sure. "I don't know. I don't know what the answer is to Man United," he said.

McKenna actually has a long history with the club. He first joined as a scout back in 2016, then ran the Under-18s before becoming an assistant manager under Jose Mourinho. He went on to work under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Carrick and Ralf Rangnick too, before leaving in 2021 to take the top job at Ipswich Town.

At Ipswich, McKenna had a strong run, winning three promotions in four and a half years, including two that took the club into the Premier League. He's currently without a club though, having left Portman Road in June to take a break from the game. He'd also held talks with Fulham before stepping away, and Fulham ended up appointing Alvaro Arbeloa instead.

As for Carrick, he took over at United on a caretaker basis back in January after Ruben Amorim was sacked. He did well, winning 12 of his final 17 games in charge and steering the club to a third place finish, which secured Champions League football. That form earned him the job permanently in May on a two year deal.

But things have gone downhill fast this season. United have already lost three times in all competitions and have managed just one win from their first four Premier League matches.