Gary Neville has already explained whether Antonio Conte would be a good appointment by Manchester United, by touching on the Italian’s short-term approach. His comments have resurfaced after a new report linked Conte with the United job.

Italian journalist Enzo Bucchioni of TuttoMercatoWeb reported earlier this month that Conte was moving towards an agreement with United to replace Michael Carrick. Other reports suggest the club intends to continue with Carrick despite a disappointing start to the season.

What Did Gary Neville Say About Antonio Conte at Man Utd?

Neville discussed Conte and whether he'd be a good fit for United on Sky Sports’ Super Sunday back in March 2022, after the Red Devils had lost 4-1 to Manchester City. Micah Richards argued that the club should have appointed Conte instead of bringing in Ralf Rangnick as interim manager.

Richards claimed that United’s traditional approach was no longer enough to win trophies, stating that "the Man United way doesn’t win you trophies anymore."

Neville disagreed with the suggestion that his former playing club should have turned to the former Chelsea boss: "Conte is not a manager for Manchester United."

Richards pointed to Conte’s record of winning trophies, but Neville insisted that his success usually came in short spells: "He comes in for one or two years and does a great job."

Neville had expressed similar reservations after United’s 5-0 home defeat to Liverpool in October 2021, believing that Conte wasn't the type of coach required at Old Trafford.

Has Gary Neville Changed His View on Man Utd’s Managerial Search?

In May 2026, Neville appeared more open to United appointing an established winner. After Carrick secured Champions League qualification, he said the club should pursue a world-class manager with league titles to his name if one became available.

Neville pointed to the lack of experience at elite clubs among United’s previous five managers as a reason to consider that option.

While his comments did not specifically identify Conte as the right candidate. They did, however, raise the question of whether United should prioritise an experienced trophy winner over a manager already in the job.

United appointed Carrick in January 2026 after Ruben Amorim’s departure. He reportedly signed a contract running until 2028 in May, but United’s form at the start of the season has brought fresh scrutiny of his position.

Neville has also been scathing about United’s performances under Carrick. After their 1-1 draw with Fulham on 20 September, he called the opening 15 minutes of the second half “the worst 15 minutes I have ever seen Manchester United play."

Latest on Man Utd Potentially Appointing Conte

Bucchioni’s report is not, by itself, confirmation that Conte is close to joining United. Reports in the UK including from Football Insider claim that INEOS remain behind Carrick and have not contacted potential replacements.

Conte has been without a club since leaving Napoli in May 2026. In an interview with The Athletic published in early October, he said he wanted to manage a club that had lost touch with its history.

“I’d like to go to one of these clubs to dust off that history and make it shine once more,” he said. He did not mention Manchester United by name.

Conte has Premier League experience having led Chelsea to the title back in 2016-17. He also spent time at Tottenham Hotspur but both of his spells ended unceremoniously due to falling out with the higher-ups.