Man Utd face instant Eddie Howe issue if Sir Jim Ractliffe gets his wish

Manchester United are considering sacking Michael Carrick following a difficult start to the Premier League season, managing just one win so far

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United - Premier League — Sir Jim Ratcliffe faces Eddie Howe issue at Manchester United (Image: Getty)

Manchester United could reportedly be forced to pay a substantial compensation fee to appoint Eddie Howe as Michael Carrick's replacement. Howe has emerged as the frontrunner to take over at Old Trafford, with Carrick's future plunged into serious doubt following Sunday's 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth. United currently sit 16th in the Premier League after extending their winless run to eight matches across all competitions.

United's director of football, Jason Wilcox, is reportedly keen on appointing Howe, who left Newcastle United in July after five years in charge. Sir Jim Ratcliffe is also believed to favour the Englishman over other potential candidates, including Julian Nagelsmann, Antonio Conte and Fabian Hurzeler, should the club decide to dismiss Carrick.

Howe, meanwhile, is thought to be open to taking charge at Old Trafford. However, while United chiefs are reportedly discussing whether to sack Carrick ahead of their upcoming Premier League clash with Chelsea, securing their preferred replacement may prove more complicated than initially anticipated.

According to Chronicle Live, Newcastle would be entitled to compensation if Howe returned to management, with a 'significant payout' potentially required due to the length of time remaining on his contract at St James' Park. Howe was reportedly earning around £6million per year and had committed to a multi-year agreement in the summer of 2024, meaning any compensation package could run into millions.

The report suggests Newcastle could be in line for a substantial windfall, particularly after allowing members of Howe's backroom team, including Jason Tindall, Stephen Purches and Simon Weatherstone, to depart alongside him amid speculation they could reunite at another club. Such an expense would add to the significant sums United have already spent on managerial departures in recent years.

The club previously incurred a net severance cost of £8.2m following the premature departure of Ruben Amorim and his coaching staff, highlighting the financial implications of another potential managerial change at Old Trafford.

Gateshead v Newcastle United - Pre-Season Friendly — Howe left Newcastle in the summer after five years in charge (Image: Getty)

Several candidates have already emerged as potential successors at Old Trafford, with Julian Nagelsmann also among the leading contenders. Meanwhile, United's head of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, reportedly favours appointing Julian Nagelsmann, who has been out of work since leaving his role as Germany manager in the summer.

However, Ratcliffe is expected to have the final say on any managerial appointment and is believed to favour an English candidate. According to The Sun, the INEOS billionaire is keen for United to have a homegrown manager at the helm.

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Should United make a formal approach for Howe, they would likely also need to negotiate deals with his trusted backroom staff, including assistant manager Tindall, first-team coaches Purches and Weatherstone, and sports scientist Dan Hodges. All four have worked alongside Howe during his spells at Bournemouth and Newcastle.