Ratcliffe favours Howe to replace Carrick as United weigh two manager options

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is understood to favour Eddie Howe as Manchester United’s next permanent manager, with caretaker boss Michael Carrick increasingly likely to be dismissed following a winless run of eight matches across all competitions.

Carrick was already under significant pressure before Sunday’s Premier League fixture against Bournemouth, which ended in a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford. Reports indicate United officials are now weighing whether to relieve him of his duties before the club’s next league fixture against Chelsea.

Howe and Julian Nagelsmann have emerged as the two leading candidates, though the men responsible for the decision are not fully aligned. Director of football Jason Wilcox is said to prefer Howe, citing his Premier League experience with Bournemouth and Newcastle. Head of recruitment Christopher Vivell, meanwhile, is understood to lean towards Nagelsmann, who has been without a club since leaving the Germany national team role in the summer.

Ratcliffe, who will have the final say, has consistently stated a preference for an English manager — a position that points toward Howe. According to The Sun, the INEOS billionaire maintains that United should ideally be led by a homegrown head coach.

Howe left Newcastle in the summer with plans to take a break from football, but is reportedly willing to cut that sabbatical short for the opportunity to manage United. His availability as a free agent also means the club would not need to pay a compensation fee to appoint him — a practical advantage at a time when United are managing costs carefully.

The report further claims that Howe has been watching United matches and taking notes in preparation for a potential role at Old Trafford. Should he be appointed, his immediate task would be to arrest a dramatic slump in form: United have recorded just one Premier League win so far this season.