Paul Scholes urges Manchester United to make Antonio Conte their top choice

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes says Antonio Conte is “miles ahead” of the other candidates being considered to replace Michael Carrick at Old Trafford.

Conte has been shortlisted alongside Julian Nagelsmann and Eddie Howe, with all three managers currently available. Scholes believes the Italian should be the club’s preferred appointment, despite the demanding nature of his management style and the concerns his reputation may raise.

“You’d have to pick a manager who you think will get us back to being a competitive team for the Premier League. Out of them three, Antonio Conte’s the man…” Scholes told The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast.

Conte has previously managed Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur and is reportedly interested in taking charge of Manchester United. Scholes, however, questioned why the former Chelsea and Tottenham manager would want to inherit the current squad.

“He’s made noises that he wants to come and I’m pretty sure the club would have spoke to all three of them. I can’t understand why he’d want this job because I don’t think the team’s good enough for him, personally,” he said.

Scholes added: “I think Conte’s the best one around. When I’m talking best in class and you talk them four, I think Antonio Conte’s miles ahead of all of them. You think Juventus, he went to Napoli and goes and wins the league with them.”

The process of selecting Carrick’s successor may be complicated by differences among United’s senior officials. Director of football Jason Wilcox is understood to favour Howe, while recruitment director Christopher Vivell reportedly prefers Nagelsmann.

Carrick remains in charge after emerging from crisis talks with the club’s hierarchy at Carrington on Monday. His position is still considered precarious, but he is continuing to prepare the team for Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Conte’s potential appointment would also be expected to involve important conditions. The Italian would want to bring in his own backroom staff and have control over transfer decisions.

Scholes said the choice should be based on identifying the manager most capable of restoring United as a competitive Premier League side. In his assessment, Conte stands clearly above the other names under consideration, with his previous success at Juventus and Napoli outweighing concerns over his forceful approach.

United have therefore been left weighing three available options while Carrick continues to lead preparations for the weekend. The club’s internal division over Howe and Nagelsmann contrasts with Scholes’ firm view that Conte should be the leading candidate.