United's trip to Tyneside on Wednesday could be a final audition for Tonali. Recent history is on Newcastle's side, too, as they've won three of their last four home meetings with the Red Devils alongside one draw.
However, confidence is at an all-time low in Howe's camp. Newcastle have just one win from their last seven in the league, with their latest setback coming in the form of a dismal 3-2 defeat to Everton on Saturday. Tonali's workload has also increased due to the injury-enforced absence of club skipper Bruno Guimaraes.
His best efforts could again be in vain against a flourishing United team functioning at near maximum. Should Newcastle succumb to another defeat, Tonali may find himself eyeing up the facilities at Old Trafford as a possible new base.
United, meanwhile, might be enticed by the prospect of securing their first megastar from Italy. Tonali has long been compared to Azzurri icon Andrea Pirlo, which Howe leaned into last season.
"When I first saw Sandro play, there were definite links to Pirlo, without a doubt - and it's not just the hair. There's more to it than that," Howe said. "He's definitely got those similar qualities in terms of build and style, but I think the thing that sets Sandro apart from anyone else was he could do all of those things technically and tactically, and looked really good, but it's his athleticism as well, his ability to run. Yes, there are the obvious ones [comparisons] in terms of his technique and his passing and everything else, but I think that's the thing that sets him apart."
A modern-day Pirlo who can run non-stop for 90 minutes is exactly what United need. As statement signings go, there wouldn't be any better in the summer.