Manchester United manager Michael Carrick looks worried on the training ground
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick is set to take charge of the Premier League clash against Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday, but club chiefs are considering their options if they do need to make a change.
Man United are seven matches without a win following Wednesday night's 4-1 thrashing at Como, with Carrick winning just two of his 11 games in charge this term.
The Red Devils look a completely different team to the one that soared to a third-place finish in the Premier League last term, under the interim leadership of Carrick.
The 45-year-old will be under no illusions that he needs a positive result against the Cherries, who will come into the clash at the Theatre of Dreams on a high after they beat AC Milan 3-0 in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Carrick is still trying to find his best XI following the club's summer business and with the players he currently has available to him, with Benjamin Sesko's absence proving to be a big problem.
Bruno Fernandes has even played as a striker at times in recent matches, although Carrick has a decision to make on whether he starts the Portugal international against Bournemouth after he publicly criticised his manager's tactics after the Como defeat.
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Carrick's Record in 2026-27 Season
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The former Middlesbrough boss is still working out how to effectively use Youri Tielemans, Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos, Kobbie Mainoo and Fernandes in a starting line-up, while the lack of quality in depth in defence is a concern too.
A whole host of managers are being linked with the potential managerial vacancy already, with GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs revealing that Brighton and Hove Albion coach Fabian Hurzeler and former Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann are among the names admired by the hierarchy, although the former has no interest in leaving the Seagulls mid-season.
According to talkSPORT, Eddie Howe is emerging as the new favourite for the job if Carrick leaves, having departed Newcastle United after nearly five years in charge during the summer.
Howe Would be Much Better Than Nagelsmann
Eddie Howe
The same report claims that head of recruitment Christopher Vivell views Nagelsmann as the standout candidate if a change is made, but Wilcox prefers Howe and his opinion is likely to carry more weight with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazers.
It is an interesting decision between the two as they clearly both have their strengths and weaknesses, but Howe would be the better fit for United right now.
Key Events Timeline
November 2021 — Howe appointed Newcastle head coach, replacing Steve Bruce after the Saudi-backed takeover.
February 2023 — Howe reached Newcastle's first final in 24 years, losing 2-0 to Manchester United.
May 2023 — Newcastle finished fourth, returning to the Champions League after two decades away.
March 2025 — Newcastle beat Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley, ending a 70-year trophy wait.
July 2025 — Howe steps down as Newcastle manager.
Howe was appointed as manager of Newcastle in November 2021 and, at the time, it was a club divided from top to bottom because of the previous regimes of Mike Ashley and Steve Bruce.
Howe quickly galvanised the whole club and, 18 months later, they had gone from Premier League relegation battlers to qualifying for the Champions League, aided of course by the Saudi investment.
The 48-year-old got everyone pulling in the same direction at St James' Park and the atmosphere on home matchdays was completely transformed, and the dressing room was more tight-knit than it had been for years.
Howe, described as 'one of the best' managers by Tim Krul, is clearly a good man-manager and tactically he impressed during his time as Newcastle manager, as they went toe-to-toe with the likes of Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Some United fans may not think he is the glamorous appointment they need after Carrick, but he would get the team organised and everyone pulling in the same direction, and that could be priceless for a club in crisis.