Manchester United’s desire to appoint Julian Nagelsmann as their next head coach might just be put to the test by what is now being reported.

The Red Devils have a big summer ahead. In addition to bolstering the team with key signings, Ineos are expected to finally appoint a permanent head coach.

After sacking Ruben Amorim at the start of the year, the United decision-makers opted to go the caretaker route.

As a result, Michael Carrick was picked as caretaker to lead the team until the end of the season.

Under Carrick, the team has performed markedly better.

The former midfielder has steadied the ship, with United losing just twice, winning eight games, and drawing the other two. Moreover, he is deservedly guiding United back into Champions League football and is putting himself in a strong position to be handed the permanent role.

However, as impressive as his performances and results have been, appointing him is not as straightforward as some would have it.

Ineos do not want to fall into the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer trap by appointing a coach who has impressed in a caretaker role, only to overlook fundamental issues and later discover the job is too big for him.

For this reason, the United decision-makers want to weigh all their options objectively before making their next appointment.

That said, the race for the head coach role is currently between Carrick and Germany national team boss Julian Nagelsmann.

Notably, The Peoples Person recently relayed a report detailing how the club’s head of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, has been pushing hard for United to pursue Nagelsmann.

However, even if Vivell manages to convince the United chiefs that his compatriot is the better gamble over Carrick, a move for Nagelsmann may not be straightforward either.

According to Foot Mercato, citing El Chiringuito, discussing Real Madrid’s pursuit of their next manager:

“He (Mourinho) is not the only one to have been put forward to Florentino Perez and his team… Julian Nagelsmann, currently Germany’s national coach, has submitted his CV.”

Fortunately for United, Madrid does not currently view Nagelsmann as a top target.

Instead, Mauricio Pochettino and Didier Deschamps are the names being fronted for the Bernabeu hot seat.

So Real Madrid’s indecision should give Ineos a real chance of hiring him. However, if United truly want Nagelsmann, such revelations ought to spur them into action; they need to make their intentions clear to the German tactician and move quickly before he continues offering himself to other clubs.

The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social