Eddie Howe would reportedly be open to taking over at Manchester United, should the club pull the plug on Michael Carrick's tenure. Having steered United into the Champions League as interim during the second half of last season, Carrick was given the job on a permanent basis in the summer.
Pressure mounts after slow start
There was plenty of optimism surrounding United heading into the new season, with some even tipping the Red Devils as an outsider to challenge for the title. Six matches in though and United are once again teetering on the brink of disaster, having recorded just one win in the Premier League.
Their latest slip-up at home to winless Tottenham over the weekend was a particular low point, given Spurs had 10 men when they equalised in added time. With a string of tough away matches on the horizon, things aren't expected to get much easier for the 20-time English champions.
Howe reportedly open to return
United aren't said to be plotting a change just yet, but according to Football Insider, Howe would be open to taking over at Old Trafford, should the opportunity present itself. The Englishman has been on a break from coaching ever since quitting Newcastle on the eve of the season, and isn't actively looking for an immediate return.
However, he would be happy to cut that hiatus short, as per the report, if an opportunity like the United job presented itself. The United bigwigs are said to admire Howe, and would consider appointing him, should they part ways with Carrick.
Tough fixtures ahead
That might be sooner rather than later, especially if results don't show a marked improvement. United face Atletico Madrid in mid-week, before a testing trip to Leeds United next weekend. Following that, it's another away match, this time against high-flying Como, with United's backs certainly against the wall as of right now.
When quizzed about United's current situation post-match, the ex-Middlesbrough boss remarked: "I don't feel let down, because you can make mistakes. You can make mistakes, things go against you.
"I've made mistakes in games, and it's not so much letting everyone down. We've all got standards, we've all got levels, the players have got levels and standards, and they hold their hands up at times when something goes against them…
"I care as much as anybody about this place, so sometimes you could say too much because then it overspills. But it's coming from a good place, really, and so I understand it."
