--- title: "Manchester United News & Talking Points: Conte, Carrick, Gabriel and More" canonical: "https://readmanutd.com/2026/10/09/manchester-united-news-talking-points-conte-carrick-gabriel/" type: "post" language: "en-GB" author: "Shumail Sajid" section: "Man Utd News" published: "2026-10-09T17:30:00Z" modified: "2026-10-09T17:30:00Z" --- # Manchester United News & Talking Points: Conte, Carrick, Gabriel and More [Manchester United](https://readmanutd.com/tag/manchester-united/) return to action against Tottenham with plenty happening away from the pitch as well. Michael Carrick has addressed Manchester City’s financial case, another potential managerial replacement has emerged, and JJ Gabriel’s future remains uncertain despite United making a formal offer. There are also fresh transfer links involving Harry Kane and Scott McTominay, while Alan Shearer has issued a warning to Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi. Here are the Manchester United news & talking points. ## **Conte remains on United’s managerial shortlist** Antonio Conte remains a potential option for Manchester United if the club decides to part ways with Michael Carrick. In [our full Conte report](https://readmanutd.com/2026/10/09/antonio-conte-manchester-united-manager-shortlist/), Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke says the former Chelsea and Napoli manager remains on United’s shortlist, although there is no immediate plan to sack Michael Carrick. Eddie Howe has also been mentioned as a possible candidate. ## **Shearer warns De Zerbi before United clash** Alan Shearer believes Roberto De Zerbi cannot afford another poor result when Tottenham visit Old Trafford. As explained in [our full De Zerbi report](https://readmanutd.com/2026/10/09/roberto-de-zerbi-sack-prediction-manchester-united/), Spurs sit bottom of the [Premier League](https://readmanutd.com/tag/premier-league/) with two points from five matches despite spending heavily during the summer. Shearer believes the Tottenham manager needs results quickly and warned that another defeat by two or three goals would be difficult to accept. ## **Carrick wants clarity over Manchester City case** Michael Carrick has called for a quick resolution to Manchester City’s financial case, admitting that the situation has affected him personally. In [our full Manchester City report](https://readmanutd.com/2026/10/09/michael-carrick-man-city-charges-verdict/), the United manager reflected on the 2011/12 title race, when Sergio Aguero’s stoppage-time goal denied United the Premier League trophy on goal difference. Carrick said retrospective recognition could not recreate the emotions of winning a title in the moment and insisted that everyone needs clarity. ## **Dorgu injury adds to Carrick’s problems** Michael Carrick has confirmed that [Patrick Dorgu](https://readmanutd.com/squad/patrick-dorgu/) is expected to miss several weeks after picking up an injury on international duty. In [our press conference report](https://readmanutd.com/2026/10/09/michael-carrick-press-conference-tottenham-injury-news/), Carrick also explained that Manchester United are still assessing Noussair Mazraoui ahead of Saturday’s Tottenham match. The injury concerns leave the manager with further selection decisions as United prepare to return to Premier League action. ## **United rule out McTominay reunion** Scott McTominay has been linked with a possible return to Old Trafford, but Manchester United are not planning to re-sign their former midfielder. [Our full McTominay report](https://readmanutd.com/2026/10/09/scott-mctominay-manchester-united-return-2/) explains that the 29-year-old has enjoyed considerable success at Napoli, scoring 12 league goals in his first season and another 10 last term. However, United are looking for a different midfield profile, while Napoli’s reluctance to meet his wage demands could complicate his future. ## **Dublin urges United to sign Harry Kane** Former United striker Dion Dublin believes Manchester United should make a serious move for Harry Kane. In [our full Kane report](https://readmanutd.com/2026/10/09/harry-kane-manchester-united-dion-dublin/), Dublin argued that the England captain’s movement, intelligence and finishing would make him a valuable addition despite his age. He believes Kane could still lead the line effectively for another year or two and urged United to stop discussing the possibility and make an offer. ## **Sheringham identifies Brighton striker target** Teddy Sheringham has urged United to move for Brighton forward Charalampos Kostoulas after the youngster’s impressive start to the season. As detailed in [our full Kostoulas report](https://readmanutd.com/2026/10/09/charalampos-kostoulas-manchester-united-brighton/), Sheringham believes the 19-year-old has the potential to become a £100 million player. He praised Kostoulas’ physicality, aerial ability and link-up play, insisting United should act before another club makes its move. ## **Baleba waits for Tottenham debut** [Carlos Baleba](https://readmanutd.com/squad/carlos-baleba/) could make his Manchester United debut against Tottenham after returning to action during the international break. [Our predicted lineup report](https://readmanutd.com/2026/10/09/manchester-united-predicted-lineup-vs-tottenham/) suggests Senne Lammens will continue in goal, with Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez at centre-back. Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans are expected in midfield, while Matheus Cunha could lead the attack if Benjamin Sesko remains unavailable. ## **United make JJ Gabriel a scholarship offer** Manchester United have formally offered JJ Gabriel a scholarship offer, but the teenager is still expected to leave. In [our full Gabriel report](https://readmanutd.com/2026/10/09/jj-gabriel-manchester-united-scholarship/), the club’s offer is described as an attempt to avoid losing one of their brightest academy prospects for minimal compensation. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with the 16-year-old, while United are considering legal action if recruitment rules have been breached. Follow more Manchester United news & talking points on [readmanutd.com](https://readmanutd.com/)