Manchester United can do a 'lot worse' than appointing Eddie Howe as their next manager.

That is the view of Howe's former Bournemouth winger Marc Pugh.

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The ex-Cherries boss has been put forward as a potential candidate to succeed Michael Carrick at Old Trafford.

It comes amid mounting pressure on Carrick after his side's winless run extended to seven matches in all competitions.

United were soundly beaten by Como in the Champions League on Wednesday, suffering a 4-1 defeat in Italy.

Whilst Carrick is set to remain in charge for Sunday's clash with Bournemouth, Howe has emerged as the favourite to succeed him.

talkSPORT understands technical director Jason Wilcox is leaning towards appointing the 48-year-old if Carrick is sacked.

Other candidates in the running include former Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann, who has already been sounded out by the Red Devils.

Howe backed for United job

Pugh has admitted United need a manager of Howe's profile to turn around their fortunes.

The 39-year-old was signed by Howe for the Cherries back in 2010 before winning promotion from League One and the Championship.

In total, Pugh made 232 appearances under Howe during a nine-year spell at the Vitality Stadium.

Speaking to Hawksbee and Baker on Thursday, Pugh was asked if he believes the United job would interest his former manager.

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Pugh explained: "If I was Eddie, I’d jump at the chance, but to be honest, I think United need someone like Eddie.

"The intensity level in training will go up a notch. He won’t stand for people sacking training off.

"I’m not saying Michael does. I don’t know what goes on behind the scenes at Old Trafford, at United, but he will make sure people that are playing on a Saturday and Tuesday, whenever it may be, that they are going to run and he plays high-press, high-intensity football.

"There will be no messing about, that’s for sure, but he’s fantastic tactically, technically, he cares about his players and I think they can do a lot worse than Eddie, that’s for sure."

When pressed as to whether Howe would take on the job, he added: "I think jobs like that don’t come around often and it’s one of the best clubs in the world. You’ve got to jump at the chance in my eyes."

Howe's managerial career so far

Howe is currently without a club having left Newcastle in July.

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During almost five years in charge at St. James' Park, he twice guided the Magpies to Champions League qualification.

Meanwhile, the club's Carabao Cup triumph under Howe in 2025 ended a 70-year wait for major domestic silverware.

His time as Newcastle boss followed two spells in charge of Bournemouth either side of a nine-month stint at Burnley.

Having won promotion from League Two two years earlier, Howe returned to the Cherries in 2012 to guide them from League One to the Premier League.