Eddie Howe is ready to join Manchester United without any delay if the struggling Premier League giants sack Michael Carrick during the international break.

According to a report by Pete O’Rourke on Football Insider, Eddie Howe is not the only tactician willing to join Manchester United, as Julian Nagelsmann wants to move to Old Trafford. The update adds that the Red Devils may pull the trigger on Michael Carrick if they are “well beaten” by Aston Villa this weekend.

Eddie Howe and his growth as a manager

Eddie Howe has blossomed into arguably the best English manager over the past decade. A centre-back during a largely unheralded career as a footballer, the Englishman spent most of his playing days with Bournemouth before entering the coaching sphere in 2008 by joining Bournemouth.

The 48-year-old then embarked on a short spell with Burnley before returning to Bournemouth. During this spell, he rose in prominence due to the Cherries’ heroics in the Premier League. Howe left Bournemouth in 2020 before taking his next job at Newcastle United in 2021 and immediately making a mark by guiding the team from the relegation zone to safety.

The English tactician made his mark at St. James’ Park, taking the club to the UEFA Champions League multiple times while winning the EFL Cup in the 2024/25 season. However, after an underwhelming 2025/26 campaign that ended in a bottom-half finish and growing tensions behind the scenes, Howe’s stint with Newcastle ended over the summer.

What next?

Reports in the summer suggested that Eddie Howe would take a break from management. However, links with many Premier League clubs have emerged in recent weeks, with Manchester United showing an interest due to the team’s struggles in the first few months of the 2026/27 season.

Manchester United’s interest in Howe is logical. The Red Devils are in a spot of bother after winning only three of their first 14 games across all competitions this term. The team has looked vulnerable at the back while being short of ideas going forward. The team hit rock bottom after the international break, losing 4-1 to Como in the UEFA Champions League before suffering a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth. Both results have since put Michael Carrick under pressure.

While the come-from-behind 3-2 win over AS Roma has provided some relief, Carrick’s future remains uncertain. Meanwhile, recent reports have claimed that Howe is eager to join a bigger club and ready to turn down mid-table teams like Crystal Palace, Everton, and Fulham. So, the latest update boosts Manchester United’s prospects, as the Englishman is open to moving to Old Trafford during the international break.