Manchester United have been heavily linked with Fabian Hurzeler, Antonio Conte and Julian Nagelsmann in recent days – should the club decide to make a managerial change and sack Michael Carrick in the coming weeks.
But according to Fabrizio Romano, there is a fourth name that could potentially be relevant if Carrick is unable to turn performances and results around quickly.
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After a fantastic second half of the 2025/26 season, in which Man United finished third in the Premier League and returned to the Champions League, expectations were high that the 2026/27 season would be another special season.
However, it has not worked out that way. The “Red Devils” have been far from the level of last season, and the club has only won two of their first nine games in all competitions.
Although the club currently supports Carrick, the 45-year-old knows that this is a results-driven industry. If things don’t turn in the right direction very soon, his job will be threatened.
United have a big away game against Leeds United first – a team that would like to beat United at Elland Road – followed by a trip to Cesc Fabregas’ Como in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Carrick’s win percentage is 22.2%, while Eddie Howe’s is 48.5%
One would think that Carrick will need to deliver at least one win in those two games to retain the board’s support. Otherwise, there is a risk that the season could completely unravel – especially with the latest off-pitch distractions from Lisandro Martinez and JJ Gabriel.
Conte and Nagelsmann are both out of work, but in his latest YouTube video, Romano has mentioned Eddie Howe as another manager available now, after he left Newcastle United in the summer.
The Italian journalist said: “This [Hurzeler] is not the only name that comes up in the conversations. When there are internal talks about managers and more, more names are mentioned internally.
“For example, as I have already told you in a video, Man United know very well that Antonio Conte may be open to taking a job in the middle of the season this season – which is a big difference compared to many other years when Conte did not want to take a job during the season.
“Just to give you an example: There are coaches available now for a top job like Man United, which could be Julian Nagelsmann, who could be Eddie Howe. So there will certainly be more candidates.”
Howe could be a top option for Man United
While Conte would bring a winning mentality and proven success with league titles throughout his managerial career, there is something about Howe that feels like he could fit in well at United.
He took over an underperforming Newcastle and quickly transformed them – with the help of Saudi Arabian investment – from relegation fighters to Champions League qualification in the space of 18 months.
However, the rapid improvement was not just due to the money. Howe was instrumental in creating a team and atmosphere that the St James’ Park crowd fully supported – and he united a club that had previously been divided.
Howe knows how to be liked by his fans and players, and man-management is undoubtedly one of his strengths as a manager.
These are qualities United seem to need right now. He would also have received support in the transfer market to take the club forward – something that was lacking in his final months at Newcastle, when he saw Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes being sold right in front of him.
Howe also delivered the Magpies’ first major trophy in 70 years, so he has now proven that he knows how to win titles – which is exactly what is required at Old Trafford now.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher is definitely a big fan of the 48-year-old, and has consistently backed him as a future replacement for Thomas Tuchel in the England national team.
Last season, the Liverpool icon said:
“I have put forward Eddie Howe as the next England manager. I think he is a fantastic coach, by far the best English manager.
“I love him above all. But now that we’re four years in, I don’t think Eddie Howe can do more than what he’s done at Newcastle.”
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