Eddie Howe Open to Manchester United Approach Amidst Carrick's Struggles

Eddie Howe has barely been out of work a few weeks, but his name is already circling one of the biggest jobs in English football.

The former Newcastle United manager, who walked away from St James’ Park in stunning fashion midway through preseason, is understood to be open to an approach from Manchester United if the Old Trafford club decide to sack Michael Carrick after a stuttering start to the campaign.

Howe waits, United waver

Indy Kaila reported on Thursday that Manchester United’s hierarchy are ready to act if results do not improve, with the club’s owners growing impatient after an unconvincing opening to the season and early struggles in the domestic cups.

“Manchester United prepared to act if poor form continues; Eddie Howe understood to be open to approach,” Kaila posted on X, framing a situation that suddenly feels very real for both Carrick and Howe.

For now, Carrick remains in the dugout and there is no vacancy to fill. The club have not made a formal move. But the report states that the owners are prepared to make an immediate change should the current form persist.

The pressure is clearly building.

Howe’s stance and United’s dilemma

According to the report, Howe would be more than willing to listen if Manchester United decide to pick up the phone. Sources cited in the piece suggest the 46-year-old is ready to step straight back into elite management.

“Manchester United's owners are prepared to make an immediate change in the dugout should the club's current form persist, according to sources,” the report reads. “It is understood that Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe would be willing to take charge at Old Trafford if formally approached.”

The wording is clumsy – Howe is no longer Newcastle manager – but the message is sharp enough: if United call, Howe listens.

That scenario would return him to Premier League management only months after his abrupt departure from Newcastle and drop him into the brightest of spotlights, with the Red Devils competing in the Champions League this season and still wrestling with the weight of their own expectations.

From relegation fight to European nights

Howe’s stock remains high. He took over Newcastle in late 2021 with the club flirting dangerously with relegation and dragged them not just to safety but into the conversation for Europe. Under his watch, Newcastle became regular contenders for European qualification and finally tasted a long-awaited domestic triumph, ending years of frustration on Tyneside.

His exit this summer opened the door for Matthias Jaissle, who has begun reshaping Newcastle around a revamped squad after several major departures and arrivals. The project Howe built is already evolving without him.

The question now is whether his next project could be Old Trafford, and how quickly that possibility might move from speculation to reality if Carrick cannot halt United’s slide.