Former Newcastle United and Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has been told he should take the Manchester United job if Michael Carrick is sacked

Eddie Howe should "jump at the chance" to become Manchester United's new head coach. That is according to ex-Bournemouth winger Marc Pugh, who has backed Howe to replace Michael Carrick at Old Trafford.

Carrick has this week come under increasing pressure following United's dismal start to the season. The Reds have won just twice in 11 matches across all competitions in 2026/27. They have picked up just seven points from a possible 21 in the Premier League, suffered Carabao Cup elimination to Brighton & Hove Albion, and sit 20th in the Champions League table after winning one of their three league matches.

Since the 4-0 win against Sabah last month, United have gone on a seven-game winless run. On Wednesday, the Reds were thrashed 4-1 against Cesc Fabregas' Como, putting Carrick on thin ice.

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Despite this, Carrick is still expected to take charge of Sunday's home game against Bournemouth. United bosses want to give the ex-Middlesbrough boss time to turn it around.

But if Carrick is sacked, Howe is among the favourites to replace him. The 48-year-old is available after leaving Newcastle United in the summer and has long been tipped to move to United.

Now, Pugh, who worked alongside Howe during their time together at Bournemouth, has delivered his verdict on a potential move to Old Trafford for the ex-Newcastle head coach.

Speaking on on talkSPORT about the speculation, Pugh said: "If I were Eddie, I'd jump at the chance, but to be honest, I think United need someone like Eddie... I think jobs like that don't come around often, and it's one of the best clubs in the world; you've got to jump at the chance, in my eyes."

Dwight Yorke, meanwhile, believes Eddie Howe is one of the standout candidates to replace Carrick.

He told the Keys & Gray Unleashed podcast: "The Eddie Howe scenario will raise a few eyebrows, and yes, a man with a little bit more experience who has obviously done what he’s done at Bournemouth and at Newcastle.

"Howe would be one of those guys who stand out out there at the moment. He's not in a job, looking for a job. There are no top managerial candidates out there who can come in and really excite the people and the fans at Manchester United."