Dwight Yorke withdraws Carrick support and backs Eddie Howe for Manchester United job

Dwight Yorke has publicly withdrawn his support for Michael Carrick as Manchester United manager, conceding the appointment was likely a mistake after the club’s worst Premier League start in 40 years — one win from seven league games and an early Carabao Cup exit.

The former United striker, who had been among the ex-players backing Carrick when he was handed the job on a permanent basis, told the Keys & Gray Unleashed podcast: “Putting my hands up, I was one that said give Carrick the chance, but then I look back at it now, see what we’re doing, and I’m not sure if that was the right decision.”

Carrick initially impressed after arriving at Old Trafford in January as an interim appointment, guiding United to third place in the Premier League and back into the Champions League. That form earned him the permanent role, but the second season has proved a sharp contrast.

Yorke drew a parallel with the tenure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, suggesting that familiarity with a club does not always translate into managerial resilience under pressure. “These guys are brilliant guys when you meet them and you know them like I have done,” he said. “I’m not sure they’re made for managerial jobs when the pressure is on. Like anything else, when the going is good then it’s fantastic. When it’s not so good, I’m not so sure. I’ve seen it with Ole and I’ve seen it with Carrick.”

On potential successors, Yorke pointed to Eddie Howe — who left Newcastle in the summer following several successful seasons — as the standout available candidate. Antonio Conte has also been linked with the vacancy, though Yorke acknowledged the thin pool of top-level managers currently without a club.

“Howe would be one of those guys who stand out at the moment,” Yorke said. “He’s not in a job, looking for a job. But if you expand it out there even more, who else is out there? There is nobody else and that’s why Carrick will survive for a little bit longer. There are no top managerial candidates out there who can come in and really excite the people and the fans at Manchester United.”

United’s recent managerial history has seen them cycle through proven names, emerging coaches and club legends without sustained success, and Yorke’s comments reflect a growing sense among former players that the current tenure may follow the same trajectory.