Ethan is a football journalist at Football FanCast specialising in opinion-led features, tactical analysis and Premier League coverage. A graduate of the University of Derby's Football Journalism course, he has developed experience covering multiple levels of English football, from non-league to the Premier League.  

Ethan began his career as a media assistant at Mickleover Sports and an EFL reporter for VAVEL. After graduating in 2023, he spent six months covering the Premier League for GRV Media before joining Football FanCast in February 2024.
 

Since joining the publication, Ethan has focused on producing in-depth football features, combining statistical analysis with informed opinions on players, clubs and performances. A lifelong Nottingham Forest supporter and season-ticket holder, he brings first-hand experience of matchday football and a strong understanding of the issues affecting supporters to his writi

Despite Manchester United facing AS Roma in the Champions League this evening, the rumblings over the future of boss Michael Carrick continue to make noise in the background.

A defeat to the Italian side in Europe tonight could be the final straw for the 45-year-old, who could go ten games without a win at Old Trafford later tonight.

It feels as though the manager has his hands behind his back given the issues within the board, but they will undoubtedly see him as the fall guy for the recent struggles on the pitch.

As a result, a handful of names have been touted for the managerial role at the Theatre of Dreams, but INEOS should desperately be looking to steer clear of one option.

Why Eddie Howe isn't Man Utd's perfect Carrick replacement

Over recent weeks, the rumours of Eddie Howe replacing Carrick have grown continuously, with the Englishman an option who’s been under consideration for many years.

The 48-year-old is a free agent after leaving Newcastle United in July, but the Red Devils should avoid any move that would see him be handed the manager’s job at Old Trafford.

Whilst he led the Magpies to Carabao Cup glory in 2024/25, he’s often been uninspiring in the Premier League - as seen by his stats in such a division over recent years.

Howe has managed 369 games in England’s top-flight to date, but has only managed to taste victory on 140 occasions - subsequently achieving a win percentage of 37.9%.

The aforementioned figure is lower than each of United’s last five managers, apart from Ruben Amorim, who could only achieve a 31.9% success rate in his 47 outings.

The Englishman has only ever finished in the top four once during his managerial career, with his 2022/23 success at St James’ Park arguably a one-season wonder.

As a result, he lacks the experience of managing a European powerhouse and would no doubt see him fail to live up to expectations upon any move to Manchester.

Man Utd's dream Eddie Howe alternative revealed

Howe certainly hasn’t been the only manager touted with replacing Carrick, and such rumours will no doubt intensify should he fail to claim a positive result in Europe tonight.

Antonio Conte is another name that has been thrown into the mix as of late, with the Italian’s experience of claiming Premier League success at Chelsea undoubtedly a factor in the links.

However, concerns around the 57-year-old’s attitude and constant outbursts are well substantiated given his antics during previous spells elsewhere.

As a result, the possibility of a move for Julian Nagelsmann is now on the table, with the German a proven winner at the very top level of European football.

It’s been reported by Sky Sports Germany that the 39-year-old is high up on the Red Devils’ shortlist and that they are ready to make their move should Carrick be handed his marching orders in the near future.

The German's interest in the role has been backed up by Football expert Marcel Reif who was speaking to Bild this week: "If he doesn’t have the nerve to do it, I won’t know what to make of the world anymore", Reif began. "I'd be really surprised if he were suddenly to shy away from the limelight. You can’t start from scratch there, you have to start from below zero. I think it'll be Nagelsmann. He's got a good reputation, and he's ready."

Nagelsmann has never managed in the Premier League to date, but he has previously managed to claim title glory in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich.

The 39-year-old avoided defeat in 29 of the 34 league outings that term, and subsequently won the division by seven points from challengers Borussia Dortmund.

He’s subsequently won 52% of his 241 matches in such a division throughout his career, and has managed to finish in the top four on three separate occasions.

Only once did he achieve such a feat with Bayern, subsequently making RB Leipzig and Hoffenheim consistent challengers for the European places during his time at both clubs.

Nagelsmann has achieved an average of 1.85 points per game, compared to Howe’s 1.62 in the Premier League - even managing to do so with a less established side in the form of Hoffenheim.

As a result of his work in recent years, the manager has received huge praise, with Josh Bunting stating that he’s now the “best young coach in Europe” given his glittering CV.

A move for the German over Howe should be a no-brainer for United and the hierarchy, with his experience of achieving success with various sides there for all to see.

He’s constantly delivered the goods at every club he’s been at, and there’s no reason why he can’t make the Red Devils a force to be reckoned with in Europe and domestically once again.