Manchester United are facing a fourth managerial decision in four years as Michael Carrick's tenure as head coach collapses, with Eddie Howe emerging as the bookmakers' favourite to replace him - a move that would mark another low point for INEOS.
Carrick, who took charge on an interim basis at the end of last season and gave fans some of the best months of post-Sir Alex Ferguson support, signed a two-year contract as permanent manager. However, just months into that deal, results have deteriorated sharply, even by the standards of United's dysfunction since Ferguson and former chief executive David Gill left Old Trafford.
Carrick's Stay of Execution
Despite widespread expectations that Carrick would be sacked after United were beaten by Bournemouth, following a defeat to Como in the Champions League - a disastrous four days in which they lost 7-1 across the two games - he remains in charge at Carrington. The club has told him he will lead the team against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox have not even managed to get the timing of the sacking right, leaving Carrick in place by virtue of a humiliating stay of execution.
Howe's Track Record Under Scrutiny
Eddie Howe, who left Newcastle United in the summer, is the current favourite in the managerial markets. He was first considered by the INEOS board when Erik ten Hag was sacked, but the appointment went to Ruben Amorim instead - Wilcox's choice over the preference of sporting director Dan Ashworth, who was sacked just four months into the job.
Howe's CV includes one Carabao Cup, a second final lost to Ten Hag, and a fourth-place league finish followed by a drop to seventh and a group-stage exit in the Champions League. His Newcastle side consistently posted some of the highest running figures in the league, a style that appears alien to the current United squad, which has shown little appetite for tracking back or engaging in challenges.
The idea that Howe could replicate his Newcastle success at Old Trafford is considered impossible, given the midfield rebuild featuring Andrey Santos, Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans does not match the physical profile of Howe's former trio of Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.
Alternative Candidates and the Road Ahead
The other options on the table include Antonio Conte, whose confrontational nature could destabilise the club, and Julian Nagelsmann, who failed with Germany and struggled to manage egos at Bayern Munich.
If Howe were to lead United further into decline, with what is described as dire football and the antics of his trusted assistant Jason Tindall, Ratcliffe may face the end of his tenure at Old Trafford, having already overseen the ill-fated decisions to back Ten Hag with a new contract before firing him, the tragic tenure of Amorim, and now Carrick's downfall.
