Why Antonio Conte will NOT become Manchester United manager as new favourite emerges

That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who reports that the speculation around the former Chelsea and Tottenham head coach moving to Old Trafford has “gone cold”.

The Italian had been heavily linked with a switch to the north west in recent weeks as pressure piled on Michael Carrick after a dismal run of form saw the Red Devils win just once in 11 matches, as they lie in the relegation zone of the Premier League table.

Conte, who most recently coached Napoli, is thought to be keen on the United job, and his name was bandied around with other potential candidates, such as former Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and ex-Bayern Munich and Germany head coach Julian Naglesmann.

Not an option: Antonio Conte

PA

However, in the last couple of days, another ex-Chelsea and Spurs manager, Mauricio Pochettino, has overtaken all three of those names to become the favourite to succeed Carrick.

Romano reported on Tuesday that the reason behind United opting against Conte was because that the club were slightly “scared” of the 57-year-old.

"There is a feeling within the industry that Manchester United are 'scared' of Conte,” he explained on his YouTube channel.

‘He just goes and says the reality, he's a serial winner but brutal. I think this is exactly what United need. You need to understand the real problems instead of just hiding."

It is believed that United’s hierarchy are in Monaco to hold crisis talks over the manager’s future on Wednesday, with a decision expected on Carrick’s sacking on Thursday.