Manchester United manager Michael Carrick could be in the final hours of his reign at Old Trafford, with Jason Wilcox already reaching out to Eddie Howe about replacing the 45-year-old.

The expectation is that Carrick will lose his job at Man United following Sunday's dismal 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth at the Theatre of Dreams, which left the club 16th in the Premier League table and with just one win to their name in eight top flight fixtures.

It is two victories in 12 matches in all competitions following defeats to Brighton and Hove Albion in the EFL Cup and Atletico Madrid and Como in the Champions League, and it has left Carrick on the brink of losing his job.

Carrick decided to drop captain Bruno Fernandes following the public criticism of his tactics after the defeat to Como, with the Portugal international remaining on the bench even when the Red Devils were searching for a way back into the game against Marco Rose's Cherries.

The decision didn't work out on a miserable afternoon at Old Trafford, and the former Middlesbrough boss could now pay the consequences.

GIVEMESPORT sources revealed previously that there is an admiration for Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, but the German has no intention of leaving the Seagulls mid-season.

Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte are two more of the names who have admirers on the United board, along with Howe.

Of course, unlike Hurzeler, those three options are free agents and available now, and the Red Devils wouldn't have to work to get them out of a club.

According to the Guardian, United director of football has already made contact with Howe over the potential of replacing Carrick.

Howe is Better Option Than United Fans Think

There appears to be an overwhelming feeling of disappointment among the United fanbase that Howe is one of the frontrunners to replace Carrick if he is sacked.

It is understandable because he wouldn't be a truly exciting appointment, and he doesn't have the strong personality that someone like Conte has, but he might just be exactly what the Red Devils need in the situation they currently find themselves in.

Howe has proved at Newcastle and Bournemouth previously that he can bring success to clubs he has taken over which are in turmoil, with United in a tough situation right now.

• November 2021 — Newcastle appointed Howe head coach a month after the Saudi-led takeover.
• May 2023 — Howe steered Newcastle to fourth and Champions League football after 20 years.
• February 2023 — Newcastle lost the Carabao Cup final 2-0 to Manchester United at Wembley.
• March 2025 — Howe beat Liverpool to win the Carabao Cup, ending a 70-year drought.
• May 2026 — Newcastle finished 12th, Howe's worst league campaign at St James' Park.

The 48-year-old led the Magpies from relegation strugglers to the Champions League in 18 months, and he got the best out of his players.

Joelinton is one example of a player who he transformed, with the striker being something of a laughing stock before being converted into one of the best central midfielders in the Premier League.

Howe is proven he is a manager who is popular with his players and tactically strong, also delivering the club's first major trophy in 70 years.

TalkSPORT pundit Darren Bent is certainly behind the appointment, claiming that the former Newcastle coach is 'perfect' for United after what he achieved during his tenure at St James' Park.

Howe has galvanised an entire club before, he has extensive Premier League experience that someone like Nagelsmann doesn't, and he has been part of the Newcastle recruitment that was so impressive for many years.

United chiefs must decide which route they're going to go down to, but Howe isn't as bad as some fans seem to think he would be.