Howe emerges as frontrunner for Man Utd job after ruling it out seven months ago

Eddie Howe is the frontrunner to become Manchester United’s next manager — a striking turnaround for a coach who publicly dismissed any interest in the role just seven months ago.

When Ruben Amorim was sacked by United in January, Howe was asked directly whether links to the Old Trafford vacancy — and a concurrent opening at Chelsea — could tempt him away from Newcastle. His answer left little room for interpretation. “No… Not at this current time. I am very happy at the moment and hopefully that stays for a long time. Absolutely nothing has changed from my perspective. I am one hundred per cent here,” he told reporters.

By July, however, he was zero per cent there. Howe stepped down as Newcastle manager, citing personal exhaustion, with squad turnover and reported behind-the-scenes tension also understood to have contributed to his departure from St James’ Park.

The vacancy at United has now opened up following a dismal start to the season under Michael Carrick. Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth appeared to be the final blow for a side that has won just once in the Premier League this term — a 5-2 victory over newly-promoted Ipswich Town — and suffered a 4-1 loss to Como in the Champions League. Carrick left the Old Trafford pitch to applause from supporters who seemed to sense they were watching his last game in charge. Crisis talks were held on Monday, and his departure is widely anticipated.

Should Carrick leave, Howe arrives as the leading candidate with a considerable track record. During his time at Newcastle, he secured two successive Champions League qualifications and ended the club’s 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy by lifting the 2024/25 Carabao Cup. Before that, across two spells at Bournemouth, he oversaw three promotions in five seasons from League Two to the Premier League and established the club as a stable top-flight side.

Carrick had taken over as interim manager in January following Amorim’s sacking and was handed the role on a permanent basis after guiding United to a third-place Premier League finish. His tenure has unravelled sharply since, leaving the club searching for their third permanent manager in under twelve months.