Eddie Howe has been mentioned among the many names linked to the Man Utd job, but his latest comments should tell Ineos all they need to know about him.
On paper, the fortunes of the two clubs – Manchester United and Newcastle – couldn’t be more different.
While Newcastle recently got eliminated from the FA Cup by Man City, they’re gearing up for a UCL game against Barcelona, while United will finish the season with 40 games.
However, Eddie Howe’s latest comments in the lead-up to the Barcelona game show exactly the kind of mentality Ineos need to avoid bringing back to Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick celebrates after the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in 2026 in Liverpool, England.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
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Michael Carrick celebrates after the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in 2026 in Liverpool, England.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Eddie Howe raves about being the underdog
Howe has been linked to Man Utd before, and was even marked as an ideal candidate by Roy Keane when the managerial debate was a hot topic.
His achievements at Newcastle are notable, even if the Saudi Arabian investment is an asterisk, but what might ultimately rule him out is his comment before Newcastle’s latest game.
Ahead of taking on Barcelona in a UCL knockout game, Howe raved about the freedom of being an ‘underdog’, and how important it is to feel that way.
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Granted, nobody is mistaking Newcastle for being favourites against Barcelona, but it’s one thing to acknowledge that, and another entirely to make it your entire identity.
Howe didn’t just take this single-game view. Instead, he said that being the underdog has helped him during his “entire time here”.
This is not just being self-aware; it’s a mentality that doesn’t leave the manager, regardless of the club they are managing.
Man Utd have been here before with David Moyes, and it’s only now that Michael Carrick is resetting the standards at the club.
Michael Carrick’s mentality resonates with Man Utd
The narrative around Carrick has flipped after just one loss, to Howe’s Newcastle no less, but take a look beyond the result.
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Julian Nagelsmann at FIFA World Cup 2026 Official draw
Photo by Michael Regan – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Newcastle celebrated that win against United like they had won a cup final, and Howe admitted as much after the game.
In contrast, the first defeat under Carrick started doom-mongering, a reminder of the standards Carrick has restored after a 30% win rate under Amorim.
Multiple players have talked about Carrick’s knowledge of the club being such a key skill in his success, and that is mainly down to his winning mentality.
He’s not just happy to be the underdog. He knows United need to win and dominate, and is doing things in a manner that reflects that position.
At a club as intensely scrutinised as United, the game is as much about mentality as it is about talent on the pitch, and Carrick has restored the former to its elite standards.
United simply can’t have a manager who relishes the prospect of being an underdog.
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