Manchester United's search for a new permanent manager has taken a fresh turn, with club icon Roy Keane publicly endorsing a current Premier League rival for the role.
Keane's Clear Choice for the United Hotseat
In a significant intervention, former United captain and outspoken pundit Roy Keane has stated that Newcastle United's Eddie Howe represents the best long-term managerial option for his old club. Keane praised Howe's calm demeanour and his proven track record of building teams and improving players, qualities he believes are essential for the task at Old Trafford.
The managerial situation at Manchester United remains in a state of flux. The club is actively planning to appoint an interim coach before securing a long-term replacement. Currently, Darren Fletcher is at the helm on a temporary basis, a role he described as not being "in his wildest dreams".
The Contenders for Interim and Permanent Roles
A familiar list of former United players are reportedly in the frame for the interim position. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick, and Ruud van Nistelrooy are all said to be under consideration to steer the ship in the short term.
For the permanent job, the speculation extends beyond Howe. Other names linked with the position include Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola, indicating the club is casting a wide net for a modern, progressive coach.
A Recurring Theme at Old Trafford
The strong links to former players for the interim role have prompted comment from another United legend, Gary Neville. Neville observed the club's tendency to look to its past, likening the situation to the film 'Groundhog Day', where the same patterns repeat endlessly.
As of Friday 9 January 2026, the process continues. The immediate focus is on stabilising the team with an interim appointment, but the debate over who should lead the long-term rebuild is in full swing, with Roy Keane's backing of Eddie Howe adding considerable weight to the conversation.
