Conte denies advanced talks with Manchester United

Antonio Conte says he is not in advanced negotiations with any club, pushing back against reports that he has held talks with Manchester United about replacing Michael Carrick.

The former Chelsea and Tottenham manager called reports of financial demands and requests for full control of United’s transfer policy “unfounded” in a statement on Instagram. He said discussions would take place if a concrete opportunity arose.

Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported that Conte had spoken to United’s board after the club’s 4-1 defeat by Como. The report said he wanted control over transfers and to appoint his own staff. BBC Sport said it understood Conte was keen on the job, while reporting that he denied being in advanced talks.

Carrick is expected to remain in charge for Sunday’s Premier League match against Bournemouth, but BBC Sport reported that United have begun identifying possible replacements. Conte, former Newcastle manager Eddie Howe and ex-Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann are among those linked with the vacancy.

Conte, 57, left Napoli at the end of last season. He won the Premier League with Chelsea in 2017 and later managed Tottenham, leaving in March 2023.