Fabregas would be ‘mad’ to take Manchester United job, says Lineker

Cesc Fabregas has been warned that taking charge of Manchester United would be “mad”, with Gary Lineker describing the club as a “graveyard” for managers.

United have won only one of their first seven league matches and sit 13th before Sunday’s meeting with Bournemouth. Their difficult start has led to speculation that head coach Michael Carrick could be dismissed, with Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann, Antonio Conte and Fabregas among those linked with the position.

Lineker said Fabregas, who has enjoyed a rapid rise at Como, may soon have to decide whether to accept an offer from a major club.

“He’s going to have a big decision at some point because if he continues to have even moderate success with Como a big club will come in for him,” Lineker said on the Rest is Football podcast.

“It might be United. If he takes that job, he’d be mad! It’s a graveyard really.”

Fabregas moved into management after a distinguished playing career with Arsenal and Chelsea, and has transformed Como in only two seasons. The club have progressed from newly promoted Serie A side to Champions League qualification under his leadership.

However, Lineker believes the prospect of succeeding Carrick at Old Trafford would carry considerable risk, despite the size and status of the club.

Former England striker Alan Shearer also questioned whether the role would currently appeal to Fabregas, pointing to the number of managers who have been appointed and then dismissed by United over the past decade.

“I know it’s a huge football club, but it’s not an attractive job at the minute, because of how many (managers) have been in there and how many have been sacked,” Shearer said.

“The only thing attractive about it is he might get a great pay-off in 12 or 18 months’ time.”

Fabregas is regarded as a leading candidate as United consider their options, but the club’s current position gives them little obvious incentive with which to attract him, according to the assessment on the podcast.

Como’s victory over United on 21 October 2026 was described as a statement result for Fabregas. With his team’s progress continuing, his attention may be focused on ambitions beyond replacing Carrick at Manchester United.