United’s crisis fuels Eddie Howe’s open invitation to Old Trafford

Eddie Howe has said he is ‘open’ to taking over at Manchester United if Michael Carrick loses his job, reports say. The invitation comes after United’s shocking 4‑1 defeat to Como in the Champions League and a dismal start to the 2026/27 campaign, with only two wins from eleven games. United sit 13th in the Premier League and face a must‑win home clash with Bournemouth this weekend.

United’s shaky start

Calls to sack Carrick have intensified following the Como loss, and the board is already scouting replacements. Alongside Howe, the club is monitoring Fabian Hurzeler, Antonio Conte and Julian Nagelsmann. Hurzeler is believed to be settled at Brighton, who sit third in the Premier League, making a move away from Old Trafford unlikely.

Howe’s managerial pedigree

The 48‑year‑old former Newcastle United boss spent five years at St James’ Park, guiding the club into the Champions League and to Carabao Cup glory. Before that he spent over a decade at Bournemouth, turning the Cherries into a Premier League regular. Howe was also heavily linked with the England job before Thomas Tuchel’s appointment.

Former England striker Dwight Yorke named Howe the standout candidate, saying: “Who is out there? Eddie Howe would be one of those guys who stand out out there at the moment… There are no top managerial candidates out there who can come in and really excite the people and the fans at Manchester United.”

Newcastle and England legend Alan Shearer warned that Howe’s desire for control could prove problematic, remarking: “I’ve seen Eddie Howe being linked but he wants control of things. Whether he would get that at Manchester United or not, I don’t know.”

Fans chant the end for Carrick as United falter at Bournemouth

Fit or fail at Old Trafford

Howe’s philosophy centres on intensity and pressing; both his Bournemouth and Newcastle sides were among the league’s highest pressers and covered vast distances. He favours a 4‑3‑4 system with a deeper six, a role in which Bruno Guimaraes featured 132 times at Newcastle before moving up the pitch with Sandro Tonali.

United’s current defence may struggle to meet Howe’s demands. Against Como, Matthijs De Ligt and Harry Maguire left gaps that quicker forwards exploited. Lisandro Martinez is considered too small for a typical Howe centre‑back, while Diogo Dalot – with over 250 appearances for United – could be reshaped into a more disciplined full‑back.

In midfield, Carlos Baleba, 22, mirrors Guimaraes’s holding style and could develop alongside Bruno Fernandes, who thrives as a number 10 rather than in a deeper role. Injuries limit options: Manuel Ugarte is out until April and Mason Mount remains injury‑prone.

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Up front, Howe admired Anthony Gordon’s pace at Newcastle and could see similar traits in Amad Diallo. Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo provide additional attacking depth, though the lack of width on the left due to Luke Shaw’s age remains a concern. The squad therefore possesses the raw material, but whether the players will adopt Howe’s high‑intensity blueprint remains unanswered.