Michael Carrick is under immense pressure as Manchester United after winning just two of their opening 11 fixtures across all competitions this season.

The club sit 13th in the Premier League table with seven points in their first seven games, while just one win in three in the Champions League and an immediate exit in the Carabao Cup have sucked the positivity out of the club.

Most recently, the club suffered a shocking 4-1 defeat at the hands of Como in the Champions League, and combined with recent defeats against Atletico Madrid and Brighton plus draws against Fulham, Tottenham, and Leeds, it is rather bleak.

While United have already confirmed that Carrick will take charge of the tie against Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon, reports state the club have already started the process of hiring a potential successor.

According to multiple reports, while United's director of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, is keen to bring in former Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann to Old Trafford, the director of football, Jason Wilcox, wants a manager with Premier League experience.

There are several names in consideration, with Eddie Howe, Kieran McKenna, Antonio Conte, and Fabian Hurzeler all on a shortlist (although the latter has reportedly already decided he doesn't want the job), while Unai Emery also has admirers at Old Trafford.

But according to The Guardian, Wilcox, who has the most significant say on managers, has settled on former Newcastle and Bournemouth boss Howe as his preferred candidate, citing his extensive Premier League management experience.

According to the report, while Emery is liked, Aston Villa would demand around £20 million in compensation to pry him away from Birmingham – something United would not be willing to pay.

If United decide to sack Carrick and go with him, he would bring stability and deep Premier League knowledge. He has managed 369 Premier League fixtures, and his project-building abilities are unquestioned.

Taking over Bournemouth in League Two, he guided them all the way to the top of the English pyramid and managed them for five seasons in the league, before spending three with Newcastle and winning them their first trophy in 56 years, and first domestic title in 70 when he lifted the Carabao Cup in 2025.

However, as is always the question when it comes to managing at United, is can Howe handle the extra pressure and noise that surrounds Old Trafford.

While Bournemouth and Newcastle had more grace as underdogs compared to England's biggest clubs, United will face more pressure.

However, his stellar career so far shows that, for certain, Howe deserves a shot at managing a top club in world football, and United's project may be the right fit for him.