Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann are the leading names being discussed as potential replacements for Michael Carrick at Manchester United, should the club decide to change head coach.

United’s 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on 25 October extended their winless run to eight matches. According to Sky Sports News, club insiders expect Carrick to lose his job, although United have not announced a decision.

Both Howe and Nagelsmann are currently without a club, meaning United would not have to negotiate compensation with another team to appoint either man.

Their reported standing in the race reflects different preferences within the club's hierarchy, with Howe's Premier League experience appealing to director of football Jason Wilcox and Nagelsmann highly regarded by head of recruitment Christopher Vivell.

Why Howe and Nagelsmann Lead the Reported Shortlist

Wilcox is believed to favour a manager with Premier League experience. The Guardian reported on 23 October that Howe is his preferred choice if United decide to replace Carrick. Howe also has the backing of Dan Ashworth, United’s former sporting director, who worked with him at Newcastle.

Howe left Newcastle in July 2026 after nearly five years in charge. In the club's statement announcing his departure. He said it was in both parties' best interests to step away, recharge, and take a break.

It's claimed that he would be interested in speaking to United if the position became available. Meanwhile, Nagelsmann's connection to United comes through Vivell, with whom he worked at RB Leipzig.

The German is also a former Bayern Munich manager and has been out of work since leaving the Germany national team role following the country's World Cup exit to Paraguay in the round of 32 this summer.

Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada will recommend to co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe whether Carrick should stay in the job. Unai Emery and Antonio Conte have also been considered, but neither is currently seen as a leading candidate.

Emery would be the more expensive option, with the Guardian reporting that Aston Villa would seek around £20 million in compensation.

Carrick signed a contract running until 2028 on 22 May after winning 11 of his first 16 matches in charge and securing Champions League qualification. This season has been much harder. United have won only twice in 12 matches across all competitions, including a 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como.

Bruno Fernandes questioned the team’s tactics after that game, and Carrick left the captain on the bench for the defeat against Bournemouth.

What Howe and Nagelsmann Have said about United before

Neither manager has publicly commented on the current vacancy. Their previous remarks about United came in different circumstances. Howe spoke in October 2022, when Newcastle were challenging near the top of the Premier League.

Asked about the possibility of his club matching United's standing, (via SPORTbible): "I don't like to put ceilings on clubs" before directly referencing the Old Trafford outfit, "We have seen them grow into a Premier League club. So why not [Newcastle be as a big as Manchester United]?"

In January 2026, shortly after Ruben Amorim's dismissal, Howe was asked whether anything could tempt him away from Newcastle. He replied, as AFP reported:

“No, not at this current time.” That answer came months before Howe left Newcastle.

Nagelsmann's earlier comments date back to October 2020, when RB Leipzig were preparing to face United in the Champions League. In remarks republished by the Mirror, he said:

“I've never played in Old Trafford or been there. It will be a great experience."

He added: “I watched a lot of games in the Theatre of Dreams and of Manchester United on television. Now to be part of the stadium will be perfect.

"Bayern Munich v Manchester United, for example, the final when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored. Ryan Giggs did a lot of big games for Manchester United, Paul Scholes, Ruud Van Nistelrooy … a lot of players. I watched nearly every game of Manchester United 10 years ago, when I was a younger guy and a player."

Both managers' comments suggest they understand the magnitude of the United job and the pressure that could come in the Old Trafford dugout. They are relatively young coaches but have proven track records of building success at clubs not quite at the top of European football.