Eddie Howe is Manchester United's preferred contender to replace Michael Carrick if the Englishman is relieved of his duties, but a major stumbling block may have already emerged.

Carrick was expected to be sacked hours after their humiliating 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday, though the club are yet to pull the trigger, and the 45-year-old was pictured driving into Carrington on Monday afternoon (October 26) to watch his Man United U21 side take on Hull City in a behind-closed-doors friendly.

A decision over his future is reportedly set to be made in the coming hours after holding talks with sporting director Jason Wilcox and minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Should he be axed from the dugout at Old Trafford, then Howe may be swiftly appointed.

Man United would owe Newcastle compensation for Eddie Howe

According to Sky Sports, Howe - who departed Newcastle after four-and-a-half years in July - would be open to holding talks with the Red Devils hierarchy if the managerial position becomes available.

The 48-year-old cited exhaustion and a need to recharge as the reason for leaving St James' Park after delivering unparalleled success to the North East, notably winning the Carabao Cup in 2025 and guiding them into the Champions League twice.

Howe's Premier League experience is seen as an appealing reason for his appointment ahead of Julian Nagelsmann, another leading contender, but hiring the Englishman would come at a cost for the club, even though he is technically a free agent.

The Chronicle have revealed that Man United would have to cough up "significant" compensation to Newcastle, given that he had several years left on his contract. The former Bournemouth boss was on around £6million a year at the Magpies, meaning the Red Devils would have to pay millions to secure his services.

This could present the 13-time Premier League champions with a major stumbling block in their pursuit of Howe - if Carrick is sacked - which could potentially make the club consider other candidates.

Nagelsmann is the other top contender to replace Carrick after leaving Germany in July, and he wouldn't require compensation. Aston Villa's Unai Emery is also admired by the club's hierarchy, though they would have to pay an eye-watering £20million in compensation to prise him from Villa Park.