Manchester United’s results have intensified scrutiny of Carrick after a difficult start to the campaign. The team sit 13th in the Premier League and 20th in the Champions League standings, following a 4-1 defeat away to Como that has further fuelled speculation about the manager’s position.
Howe has been out of work since leaving Newcastle United during the summer. Across five years on Tyneside, he guided the club to two Champions League qualifications and won the Carabao Cup, giving him a record of progress at a club that had been struggling before his arrival.
His name is not new to United’s recruitment discussions. The Sun reports that Howe had previously been considered for the role during Dan Ashworth’s time as sporting director, before Sir Jim Ratcliffe opted to appoint Ruben Amorim following Erik ten Hag’s departure.
Howe stepped away from management to take a break from football, but the latest report suggests the United job could appeal to him. There has been no confirmation that he has been approached or that he is ready to accept another position.
Other candidates have also been linked with the vacancy, including Antonio Conte, Julian Nagelsmann and Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler. Hürzeler has recently signed a new contract with Brighton, which would make any move more complicated.
For United, the question is not only who could replace Carrick but whether the club can agree on a preferred candidate. Reports indicate that different figures within the football operation have their own views on the direction the club should take.
Carrick is expected to remain in charge for the next Premier League fixture against Bournemouth, giving him an immediate opportunity to respond to the criticism. A result there could affect the urgency of any decision.
For now, Howe’s position is based on reported internal opinion rather than a confirmed appointment process. United have yet to announce a change, and the situation remains dependent on the team’s results and the club’s next steps.