How Man Utd Might Look with Eddie Howe, Four New Players, and Two Big Names Missing
With Eddie Howe being talked about as a top choice to replace Michael Carrick, we’ve put together what his Manchester United line-up might look like.
On Tuesday night, Manchester United had a tough game and lost 2-0 away to Atletico Madrid — and things got even messier with Lisandro Martinez’s comments after the match.
This Sunday, United will head to Elland Road to take on their rivals Leeds United. If they suffer another heavy defeat, it could mean the end for Carrick and the start of the Howe era.
READ MORE: Man Utd decide Lisandro Martinez’s punishment for Atletico Madrid comments as player issues statement
Eddie Howe left his job at Newcastle United this summer, just a year after leading the club to end a 70-year trophy drought. Now, he’s being linked with the soon-to-be open manager spot at Manchester United.
Howe, who worked Premier League miracles with Bournemouth and is only 48, reportedly turned down a Champions League job recently because he wants to “wait for the right project,” according to TEAMtalk.
At Newcastle, Howe finished 12th in the Premier League and reached the Champions League Round of 16, though they lost 8-3 on aggregate to Barcelona. In 2024-25, he brought the Magpies a Carabao Cup win over Liverpool and secured Champions League football with a 5th-place finish.
Right now, Manchester United sit 13th in the Premier League with just six points from six games. They were also knocked out of the Carabao Cup earlier this season by Brighton.
If Howe takes the job, his goals would be clear: get Manchester United back into the top 4, show progress in the Champions League, and make a good run in the FA Cup.
READ MORE: The real reason behind Lisandro Martinez’s outburst revealed as Man Utd decide punishment
In goal, Senne Lammens won’t be going anywhere. Since joining from Royal Antwerp for just £18 million, the Belgian keeper has become a key player for the Red Devils.
At the back, Howe’s team would make two changes but keep Martinez in the lineup. Even though Martinez spoke out publicly after the Atletico game, his passion and honesty are important for Manchester United. If Howe doesn’t want him, he probably wouldn’t bench a player who has earned so much respect from fans for “telling it like it is.”
Diogo Dalot would also keep his spot, having started most Premier League games this season and proving reliable at right-back.
If anyone could convince long-time target Lewis Hall to join Manchester United—even after he recently extended his contract at Newcastle—it’s Howe. The chance might be small, but it’s there. And under Howe, Hall would likely become the starting left-back.
Howe would also bring in a new center-back to support Martinez, likely signing Murillo, who’s impressed over three seasons at Nottingham Forest and is ready for a big Premier League step.
That would probably mean Leny Yoro, who was sent off against Atletico Madrid, would leave as two top European clubs are interested in him.
In midfield, new signing Carlos Baleba would keep his place after showing promise even on a tough night in the Champions League.
Captain and assist leader Bruno Fernandes would remain a starter too—he’d have to play a lot worse before facing any doubts.
Youngster Kobbie Mainoo would finally get regular chances under Howe, after being overlooked by other managers since his breakthrough in 2023-24.
Up front, expect some changes. Manchester United are rumored to make a move for Bundesliga striker Serhou Guirassy, who could add around 30 goals a season.
The last change would be bringing in young talent Bazoumana Toure, who looks set for a strong debut season if he joins from Newcastle.
It’s still not clear if Carrick will actually leave, but one thing’s certain: a bad loss against Leeds could put his job in serious danger. If results don’t improve, changes will come. With the right fixes and some consistency, Howe might just work his magic again at Manchester United.
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