Eddie Howe is reportedly open to accepting the Manchester United head coach position three months after leaving Newcastle, according to the BBC. The former Newcastle boss is among three unemployed managers understood to be keen to assume control at Old Trafford, with the club also interested in offering Howe a potential vacancy.
Pressure mounts on Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick is due to oversee United's Premier League fixture against Bournemouth on Sunday. However, the head coach is battling to save his position following an increasingly troubling start to the season across all competitions. With the November international break now just two-and-a-half weeks away, the pressure is intensifying on Carrick as United's winless streak persists.
Howe has previously accepted appointments at this stage of the season, having done so when he assumed control at St James' Park. He was linked with the United role last autumn when Ruben Amorim was under pressure, but dismissed the speculation at that time.
Backing from Roy Keane and Dwight Yorke
Roy Keane backed Howe to replace Amorim, giving the green light on Sky Sports in January last year: "I'd go with Eddie Howe. I like him, I like what he's done. He's managed a lot of games. When his teams are at it, they'll play good football."
Keane added: "He has his critics, but I like what he's done at Newcastle. He's managed seven or 800 games. He's still a young man. I love his calmness. Maybe Man Utd need a little bit of that."
Former United striker Dwight Yorke has also highlighted currently available Howe as among the 'standout' contenders to replace Carrick. Speaking on Keys and Gray Unleashed, he 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. It's a different managerial level when you come in at Manchester United.
"But you ask yourself the question: who is out there, and who will take it?"
Yorke went on to add: "Who is out there? 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. 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."
