Better Than Conte: Nobody is Talking About Eddie Howe to Man Utd

· GiveMeSport

Michael Carrick is under pressure at Manchester United after a poor start to the season

Manchester United are being linked with many managers as the pressure grows on Michael Carrick at Old Trafford following an underwhelming start to the season.

Tuesday night's defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League means Man United have won just two of their opening nine matches this season, and naturally the scrutiny is increasing on Carrick.

The Red Devils were one of the outstanding Premier League teams when he was in interim charge last season, but performances and results are nowhere near what they were then, even after adding three new central midfielders to their squad in the summer.

According to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs , if United chiefs do decide they need to make a change in the coming weeks, with a tough-looking double-header away at Leeds United and Como coming up in the next week, then they already have some names in mind.

Director of football Jason Wilcox has been in the news this week after he was publicly criticised by Lisandro Martinez following the defeat to Atletico, which has caused shock waves behind the scenes at Old Trafford.

His preferred target if the club decide to wield the axe on Carrick would be Brighton and Hove Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler, with the 33-year-old German leading the Seagulls to third position this term, as well as masterminding a 3-2 victory against United in the EFL Cup after they trailed 2-0 at the 'Theatre of Dreams'.

Fabian Hurzeler for Brighton

Fellow director Christopher Vivell doesn't agree though and he is pushing free agent Julian Nagelsmann, who is still available after leaving his job as Germany manager following the 2026 World Cup.

The main name linked with the role at the moment is Antonio Conte who, like Nagelsmann, can be appointed for nothing having left Napoli at the end of last season.

The Italian is said to be open to the job and, according to talkSPORT, his representatives have already told United that he would be keen to take over from Carrick.

Conte is an experienced winner with a Premier League title in his trophy cabinet, but there is a more obvious candidate who no one is talking about.

While all the chat about potential replacements right now is surrounding Conte, Hurzeler and Nagelsmann, nobody is talking about Eddie Howe.

The Englishman stepped down as Newcastle manager in the summer after almost five years in charge, citing the need for both teams to have a fresh start and for him to recharge.

The 48-year-old should be a top target for any Premier League club making a managerial change in the coming weeks and months, and that includes the Red Devils.

Eddie Howe's Managerial Record

With the help of investment from PIF, Howe galvanised the whole club and transformed them from Premier League relegation battlers to regulars in the Champions League, as well as winning their first major trophy for 70 years when they won the EFL Cup in 2025.

In the space of 18 months after first taking over, the former Bournemouth boss led Newcastle to the Champions League, where they had some memorable St James' Park nights against the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.

The Newcastle dressing room quickly became very tight-knit, and it is clear from his time in charge of the Magpies that he is a strong man-manager.

With the current issues in the United dressing room, it is another reason why Howe might be the perfect appointment for United as they look to get everyone pulling in the same direction.

One of Howe's most underrated strengths is his tactical flexibility, and he wasn't afraid to shake things up in order to get the desired result for the club.

There was a feeling that the 48-year-old had taken Newcastle as far as he could, but there is bigger potential at United, and it could be the perfect next project for Howe to get his teeth stuck into.

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