What Eddie Howe could bring to Manchester United and is he the natural successor to Michael Carrick?

When Sir Jim Ratcliffe became co-owner of Manchester United in 2024, his core strategy centred on rebuilding the team around a strong British core. However, the premium commanded by homegrown talent and the struggles faced by Michael Carrick — the first permanent British manager of the Ineos era — are likely prompting the hierarchy to rethink their approach.

Should Carrick fail to steady the ship and be dismissed, the Red Devils are already exploring the prospect of turning to another British coach with far greater pedigree. Unsurprisingly, Eddie Howe has emerged as a leading contender for one of the most high-pressure jobs in world football.

Those who have worked alongside the 48-year-old describe him as a manager whose knack for player development stems from relentless dedication on the training pitch. Howe is also renowned for his meticulous focus on fostering a winning club culture. While he lacks experience at a traditional 'Big Six' heavyweight, his achievements at Bournemouth and Newcastle command immense respect.

Having taken charge of Bournemouth in January 2009 with the club facing relegation from League Two, Howe guided the Cherries all the way to the Premier League in 2015, establishing them in the top flight before parting ways in 2020. Appointed Newcastle manager in 2021, he steered the Magpies clear of the drop zone, delivered two Champions League qualifications, and won the League Cup in 2025 — securing the club's first major trophy in 56 years.

Managing Manchester United, however, brings an entirely different level of scrutiny and pressure. Howe's links to replacing Carrick have been met with skepticism in some quarters, with numerous fans on social media questioning whether he carries enough pedigree for the Old Trafford hot seat.

Club legends Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt also stopped short of offering an outright endorsement on their podcast, despite speaking warmly about his potential arrival back in January following Ruben Amorim's sacking. Meanwhile, former captain Roy Keane has backed Howe's candidacy, with prominent ex-pros such as Darren Bent, Gareth Barry, and Jack Wilshere also insisting he is the right man for the job.

Conflicting opinions are inevitable, but the final call will rest with chief executive Omar Berrada, sporting director Jason Wilcox, and director of recruitment Christopher Vivell. The board's immediate priority is resolving Carrick's future, with this Saturday's showdown against Chelsea likely to prove decisive.

Any managerial change would also involve significant financial considerations. United would need to pay out a severance package to the former Middlesbrough boss and his coaching staff before allocating funds for their next permanent manager.

Although the terms of Howe's contract following his summer departure from Newcastle remain confidential, any club or national team wishing to hire him currently would owe a seven-figure compensation fee. According to BBC Sport sources, Newcastle protected their interests with a sliding buyout clause. The initial £6 million figure has now halved to £3 million, with the clause expiring before the end of the current season, when he would be available on a free.

While £3 million represents a modest outlay in modern football, Berrada and Wilcox are keeping a tight grip on finances, especially in the wake of the staggering sums the club has spent on severance payouts in recent years.

Beyond fan skepticism, questions also remain over how Howe would fit into the club's sporting structure. At both Bournemouth and Newcastle, he enjoyed broad control over football operations, including incoming transfers.

During his tenure at Bournemouth, he signed the likes of Nathan Ake, Callum Wilson, and Tyrone Mings, all of whom were later sold for substantial profits. At Newcastle, Howe was pivotal in securing Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, and Alexander Isak — each increasing their market value significantly.

Under Howe's tutelage, players like Dan Burn, Lewis Hall, and Tino Livramento developed into senior England internationals. Under Old Trafford's current hierarchy of Berrada, Wilcox, and Vivell, however, it is unlikely any manager would be granted the same level of autonomy, at least initially.

Howe, however, has publicly maintained that he works well alongside sporting directors and is well-accustomed to such collaborative environments. He forged successful partnerships with Richard Hughes and chief executive Neill Blake at Bournemouth, and later with Newcastle's leadership team of Dan Ashworth, Amanda Staveley, and Mehrdad Ghodoussi. Adapting to United's setup should not, therefore, pose an insurmountable hurdle.

Whether he would embrace the challenge remains to be seen. Ultimately, the decision will rest with the Old Trafford powerbrokers.

Howe is a natural candidate for the Manchester United job, just as he would be for the England post were it to become vacant. The decision on whether to offer him the reins will provide a clear indication of the direction the club intends to take.

Director of football Jason Wilcox is understood to favour the 48-year-old Englishman, while head of recruitment Christopher Vivell leans towards former Bayern Munich and Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann. Their recommendations will be reviewed by chief executive Omar Berrada, with co-owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Joel Glazer, and Avram Glazer holding the final say.

It is not entirely clear where the skepticism surrounding Howe's potential appointment stems from, beyond Wilcox facing fan backlash during the recent 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth. In modern football, few managers are afforded the luxury of building a long-term project as Sir Alex Ferguson famously did at Aberdeen before moving south in November 1986.

Frustration is brewing among match-going United supporters over sporting decisions made since Ratcliffe's arrival in early 2024, despite Erik ten Hag, Ruben Amorim, and Michael Carrick all receiving substantial backing. Some pundits argue that no manager could thrive under the current structure, with any incoming boss tasked with moulding a squad assembled under six different permanent managers with wildly contrasting philosophies.

Sami Mokbel, BBC