What Antonio Conte has said about Manchester United job with Michael Carrick facing sack

Conte has publicly stated he is open to a return to management and interested in reviving fallen giants, amid speculation he could replace Carrick at Manchester United.

Antonio Conte has addressed ongoing links to the Manchester United job as Michael Carrick faces the sack following a poor run of form. United are winless in eight matches after Sunday's defeat to Bournemouth, and executives are holding crisis talks with a statement on Carrick's future expected imminently.

Conte, who left Napoli at the end of last season, has made clear his interest in taking over a once-great club that has fallen on hard times. In an October interview with The Athletic, he outlined his ambition: "If you go to a club where the history speaks for itself - a history made up of trophies, league titles and victories - you can only honour that history in one way: by having the ambition to bring that club back."

However, Conte has also posted a statement on Instagram clarifying that there are currently no advanced negotiations with any club, including Manchester United. He denied reports of excessive salary demands and insisted he will only return to management when the conditions are right, stating: "Should a concrete opportunity arise, that will be the time to hold discussions with the club concerned."