Howe urged to 'jump' at Manchester United job as Carrick's position grows precarious

Eddie Howe should seize the opportunity to take charge at Manchester United if Michael Carrick is dismissed, according to former Bournemouth winger Marc Pugh — with the 48-year-old already emerging as one of the leading candidates to replace the under-fire United head coach.

Carrick’s position has come under serious scrutiny following a wretched start to the 2026/27 season. United have won just twice in 11 matches across all competitions, collecting only seven points from a possible 21 in the Premier League. A Carabao Cup exit to Brighton and a Champions League record of one win from three group matches — leaving them 20th in the table — have compounded the misery. A 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Cesc Fàbregas’ Como on Wednesday extended their winless run to seven games since a 4-0 victory over Sabah last month.

Despite the mounting pressure, United’s hierarchy are expected to keep Carrick in charge for Sunday’s home fixture against Bournemouth, giving the former Middlesbrough manager time to arrest the slide.

Should that patience run out, Howe — who left Newcastle United in the summer — is considered among the frontrunners for the role. Pugh, who worked closely with Howe at Bournemouth, offered an unequivocal endorsement of a potential move to Old Trafford.

“If I were Eddie, I’d jump at the chance, but to be honest, I think United need someone like Eddie,” Pugh told talkSPORT. “I think jobs like that don’t come around often, and it’s one of the best clubs in the world; you’ve got to jump at the chance, in my eyes.”

Former United striker Dwight Yorke echoed that sentiment, identifying Howe as one of the few genuinely compelling options currently available. Speaking on the Keys & Gray Unleashed podcast, Yorke said: “The Eddie Howe scenario will raise a few eyebrows, and yes, a man with a little bit more experience who has obviously done what he’s done at Bournemouth and at Newcastle. Howe would be one of those guys who stand out out there at the moment. He’s not in a job, looking for a job. There are no top managerial candidates out there who can come in and really excite the people and the fans at Manchester United.”

Howe guided Bournemouth from the third tier to the Premier League and subsequently transformed Newcastle into Champions League regulars before his departure this summer, a track record that has long drawn him to the attention of United’s ownership.