What Eddie Howe once said about his tactics at Newcastle is shades of Sir Alex Ferguson at Man Utd

Michael Carrick is on the brink of being sacked by Manchester United following their humiliating 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth, with Eddie Howe emerging as the favourite to replace him.

Old Trafford turned toxic on Sunday as goals from Marcus Tavernier, Rayan and Evanilson sank United to their newest low, days after their embarrassing 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League.

Carrick is now expected to be relieved of his duties, only months after signing a two-year contract at Man United, and the 45-year-old is likely to be replaced by former Newcastle boss Howe.

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What Eddie Howe said about his tactics at Newcastle

Sky Sports revealed on Monday that Howe is open to holding talks with the Red Devils if they part ways with Carrick after the club identified the Englishman as their leading candidate to succeed him.

Howe left Newcastle at the end of July following four-and-a-half years at St James' Park and cited exhaustion and a need to recharge as the reason for his departure.

He was also unhappy with the club's approach in the transfer window, including the decision to sell three of his best players, Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.

It begs the question of why the 48-year-old would want to inherit a toxic and broken dressing room at Old Trafford, but if he is hired by the 13-time Premier League champions, it's clear what style he would bring.

Howe is being strongly linked with the Manchester United job. Image credit: Getty

Speaking in 2021, he said: “We love to attack, be on the front foot, play with speed. I want fast, dynamic team movement. I want us to try to win the game, not be waiting for the opposition to impose themselves on us. People said it’s a very brave approach, but it’s the only way I know.”

An exciting, front-foot style was mostly enjoyed by Newcastle supporters during his successful tenure at the club, leading them to a Carabao Cup triumph over Liverpool in 2025 and two Champions League campaigns.

The Toon regularly terrorised defences with the likes of Gordon, Alexander Isak and Guimaraes before they were sold, and United fans would hope to see a similar high-octane style hit the ground running.

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Sir Alex Ferguson's comments on Eddie Howe

When Sir Alex Ferguson enjoyed a largely dominant 26 years at Man United, he established an attacking, high-tempo style of play built on fast transitions, wide play, and relentless mental resilience, similar to what Howe established with the Magpies.

The current attitude and football being played at United is a stark contrast to what fans watched for decades, but even though negativity circulates at Old Trafford, there would be at least some hope of Howe bringing a tactical blueprint that gets fans off their seats.

When asked about his thoughts on the Englishman in 2021, Ferguson told SPORTbible: "On young managers, Eddie Howe had a great period at Bournemouth, for a young manager.

“I think he did very well. Even though he’s relegated, it doesn’t mean to say he’s not a good manager; I think he is a good manager.”

Clearly highly rated by one of the greatest managers ever, Howe would want to demonstrate why he was ultimately praised by the Scot if he is indeed hired by the club.

Then, it would be down to the players to turn up and buy into his style, instead of cowering into their shells under Carrick and being one of the reasons he's on the brink.