Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has named Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe as his preferred candidate for the permanent managerial role at Old Trafford. Speaking on Sky Sports after the goalless draw between Arsenal and Liverpool, Keane said: 'I'd go Eddie Howe. I like him. I like what he's done, his management.'
Keane praised Howe's calmness and track record, noting his success at Newcastle and Bournemouth. 'He's managed 700 to 800 games, he's still a young man. I love his calmness, I think sometimes Man United need a bit of that,' Keane added. Howe has secured two Champions League qualifications and a League Cup win during his five-year tenure on Tyneside.
However, any approach from United would face significant hurdles. Compensation for Howe is believed to be in the eight-figure range, and the 47-year-old has publicly reaffirmed his commitment to Newcastle. 'I'm 100 per cent here, working as hard as I can, head down, ignoring all the stuff that you guys write,' Howe stated ahead of Newcastle's 4-3 win over Leeds United, which lifted the Magpies to fifth in the Premier League.
Manchester United sacked Ruben Amorim earlier this week and are reportedly considering an interim return for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before making a permanent appointment in the summer. Howe's name has also been mentioned by former United players Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, but Newcastle's strong position and Howe's loyalty make a move seem unrealistic at present.
