Eddie Howe linked with Manchester United as Carrick pressure grows
Eddie Howe is being considered as a possible Manchester United manager, with his track record at Bournemouth and Newcastle weighed against doubts over his stature and fit within the club's structure.
Eddie Howe has emerged as a contender for the Manchester United job as questions surround Michael Carrick's position. Howe, the former Bournemouth and Newcastle manager, is admired by people who have worked with him for his training-ground intensity and his ability to improve players and build a winning culture, according to the article. His record includes leading Bournemouth from League Two relegation trouble to the Premier League and later taking Newcastle from relegation danger to two Champions League qualifications and the 2025 EFL Cup, the club's first trophy in 56 years.
The link has divided opinion. Some supporters on social media argue Howe is not a big enough name for United, while former United players Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt stopped short of backing him on their podcast, though the article notes they had favoured him when Ruben Amorim was sacked in January. Roy Keane, Darren Bent, Gareth Barry and Jack Wilshere are among those who have touted Howe. These are reactions to the speculation, not confirmation of an appointment.
Finances could shape any move. If Carrick leaves, he and his staff would need to be paid up before United commit to a new head coach. The article reports that Newcastle agreed a decreasing compensation structure with Howe after his summer departure, starting at £6m and already halved, with an expiry date before the end of the season after which he could be appointed for nothing.
There is also conjecture over how Howe would fit United's structure. At Bournemouth and Newcastle he built a strong powerbase across the football department, including recruitment, and was instrumental in signings such as Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Alexander Isak, all later sold for more than they cost. At Old Trafford, chief executive Omar Berrada, sporting director Jason Wilcox and recruitment director Christopher Vivell hold those responsibilities, so Howe would likely not have the same autonomy immediately, though he has said he is happy working with sporting directors.
The article says Wilcox is thought to favour Howe while Vivell prefers Julian Nagelsmann, with Berrada assessing recommendations and Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co-chairs Joel and Avram Glazer having the final say. Carrick's future, and Saturday's match against Chelsea, are likely to influence how United proceed.
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