Manchester United could be forced to pay a substantial compensation fee to appoint Eddie Howe as Michael Carrick's replacement at Old Trafford

Manchester United could face paying a significant compensation package to secure Eddie Howe as Michael Carrick's successor. Howe has become the leading candidate to take the reins at Old Trafford, with Carrick's position thrown into major uncertainty after Sunday's 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth.

United languish in 16th place in the Premier League having stretched their winless streak to eight games in all competitions. United's director of football, Jason Wilcox, is said to be pushing for Howe's appointment, having left Newcastle United in July following a five-year spell in the dugout.

Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is also understood to back the Englishman ahead of other possible contenders, including Julian Nagelsmann, Antonio Conte and Fabian Hurzeler, should the club opt to axe Carrick. Howe, for his part, is believed to be receptive to the prospect of taking control at Old Trafford.

However, while United bosses are said to be weighing up whether to dismiss Carrick before their forthcoming Premier League meeting with Chelsea, landing their top target may prove far trickier than first thought. According to Chronicle Live, Newcastle would be due compensation should Howe return to management, with a 'significant payout' potentially necessary given the time left on his St James' Park deal.

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Howe was said to be earning approximately £6million annually and had signed a multi-year contract in summer 2024, meaning any compensation settlement could reach several million pounds.

The report indicates Newcastle could receive a considerable sum, especially after permitting members of Howe's backroom staff, including Jason Tindall, Stephen Purches and Simon Weatherstone, to leave with him amid suggestions they might reunite elsewhere.

Such expenditure would add to the considerable amounts United have already paid out on managerial exits in recent seasons.

The club previously faced a net severance bill of £8.2m following the early exit of Ruben Amorim and his coaching team, underlining the financial consequences of another possible managerial change at Old Trafford.

Multiple candidates have already been linked with the Old Trafford vacancy, with Julian Nagelsmann also amongst the frontrunners.

Meanwhile, United's head of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, is said to favour bringing in Julian Nagelsmann, who has been available since stepping down from his position as Germany manager in the summer.

However, Ratcliffe is anticipated to hold the ultimate authority on any managerial decision and is understood to prefer an English appointment. According to The Sun, the INEOS tycoon is eager for United to install a homegrown boss.

Should United lodge a formal bid for Howe, they would probably also need to thrash out agreements with his loyal backroom team, including assistant manager Tindall, first-team coaches Purches and Weatherstone, and sports scientist Dan Hodges. All four have been part of Howe's set-up during his stints at Bournemouth and Newcastle.