Marcelino, option for Manchester United's bench

The transfer market of Manchester United is considering the possibility of hiring Marcelino García Toral, a 61-year-old Spanish coach who has been without a team since leaving Villarreal, due to the increasing threat of dismissal that Michael Carrick is facing. The 4-1 defeat against Como in the Champions League has worsened the crisis and puts the future of the English coach in the hands of the board.

Manchester United questions Michael Carrick's continuity

The heavy loss in Italy has intensified the pressure on Carrick. Manchester United has gone seven consecutive games without a win in all competitions and is in 13th place in the Premier League, a record that has raised doubts about the coach's continuity just a few months after taking on the job permanently.

The result against Como also exposed the team's struggles to compete without the ball. The Italian side was three goals up before the hour mark, and subsequent criticism from captain Bruno Fernandes regarding the tactics added tension to the situation.

The board must decide whether to support Carrick or seek a replacement before the season progresses further. The upcoming match against Bournemouth on Sunday, October 25, is crucial for evaluating the situation, although no deadline has been set to reach a decision.

🚨💣 𝐄𝐗𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄: Michael Carrick faces a HIGH RISK of being SACKED if Manchester United fail to beat Bournemouth in their next game. The board believes the players have LOST FAITH in him and doubts his ability to turn the situation around. Manchester United have already begun the process of identifying potential replacements should they decide to part ways with Carrick.

— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) October 22, 2026

Marcelino García Toral, an available option for the bench

Marcelino García Toral has been free since the end of his second spell at Villarreal in the 2025-2026 season. The Asturian coach left the club after failing to reach a renewal agreement and after securing the team's qualification for the Champions League in two consecutive seasons.

His availability allows Manchester United to consider adding him without having to negotiate compensation for his contract with another club. However, there is no public confirmation that the English club has contacted the coach or his representatives, so his name should be seen as a possibility and not the favorite to take the position.

Marcelino has also been linked to Premier League and Italian clubs in the past. Among the options mentioned in May was Como, contingent upon a potential departure of Cesc Fàbregas; that association did not materialize into a known agreement.

Manchester United's decision remains open

The English club needs to first determine Carrick's future before finalizing the profile of a possible replacement. Recent reports have also mentioned other coaches, including Julian Nagelsmann, although the alternatives and the state of negotiations are not officially confirmed.

The match against Bournemouth will be the next point of assessment for the board. If Manchester United decides to remove Carrick, they will need to clarify whether Marcelino is indeed among their candidate list and if the Spanish coach is willing to take on the project during the season.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Marcelino, opción para el banquillo del Manchester United