Manchester United have been heavily linked with Fabian Hurzeler, Antonio Conte and Julian Nagelsmann in recent days in case the club decide to make a managerial change and sack Michael Carrick in the coming weeks.

However, according to Fabrizio Romano, there is a fourth name that could potentially become a target if Carrick fails to turn performances and results around.

After a stunning second half of the 2025-26 campaign, which saw Man United finish third in the Premier League table and return to the Champions League, expectations were high that the 2026-27 season was going to be another special one.

It hasn't quite worked out like that though, and the Red Devils' performances have been nowhere near the level they were at last term, with the club winning just two of their opening nine matches in all competitions.

While club chiefs are backing Carrick for now, the 45-year-old will know that this is a results-driven business and unless things start moving in the right direction very soon, his job will be under threat.

United have a big away double header coming up against Leeds United, who would love to get one over on United when they meet at Elland Road, followed by a trip to Cesc Fabregas' Como side in the Champions League on Wednesday.

You would think that Carrick needs to deliver at least one win in those two fixtures to keep the board on his side, otherwise there is a danger that their season could completely unravel, especially with the recent off-field distractions provided by Lisandro Martinez and JJ Gabriel.

Conte and Nagelsmann are both free agents but, speaking on his latest YouTube video, Romano has mentioned Eddie Howe as another manager who is available now, having left Newcastle United in the summer.

The Italian journalist said: "This [Hurzeler] is not the only name that is coming to the conversations. When there are internal conversations regarding managers and more, there are more names being mentioned internally.

"For example, as I told you already in a video, Man United know very well that Antonio Conte could be open this season to take a job mid-season, which is a big difference compared to many other years when Antonio Conte didn't want to take a job during the season.

Just to give you an example, there are coaches available now for a top job like Man United, who could be Julian Nagelsmann, who could be Eddie Howe. So for sure, there would be several candidates.

Howe Could be Top Option for Man United

While Conte would bring a winning mentality and proven success of winning league titles throughout his managerial career, there is something about Howe that feels like he could be a good fit for United.

He took over an underperforming Newcastle and quickly transformed them, with the help of Saudi investment, from relegation battlers to Champions League qualifiers in the space of 18 months.

Their rapid improvement wasn't just down to the money though, as Howe was pivotal in creating a team and atmosphere that the St James' Park faithful got fully behind, uniting a club that had been divided previously.

Howe knows how to be liked by his fans and his players, and his man-management is unquestionably one of his strengths as a manager.

These are all traits that United look to need right now, and he would also have the backing in the transfer market to take the club forward that was missing in his final months at Newcastle as he saw Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes sold from under his nose.

Howe also delivered the Magpies' first major trophy in 70 years, so he has now proven he knows how to win silverware, which is what is required at Old Trafford right now.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher is certainly a big fan of the 48-year-old, and has continually backed him to eventually be Thomas Tuchel's replacement for England.

Speaking last season, the Liverpool icon said:

I've championed Eddie Howe as the next England manager. I think he's a wonderful coach, the best English coach by a million miles.

"I love him to bits. But now that we're four years in, I don't think Eddie Howe can do any more than what he's done at Newcastle."