Eddie Howe lined up as Carrick successor amid Rashford exit talk
Manchester United are reportedly preparing for a managerial change, with Eddie Howe emerging as the leading candidate to replace Michael Carrick, while speculation grows over Marcus Rashford's future at the club.
TeamTalk reports that United will turn to Howe if they do decide to part ways with Carrick, and notes that Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has already pointed out a "ticking timebomb" at the club (TeamTalk). Meanwhile, Manchester Evening News frames Carrick's situation as reaching a "judgement day" moment, describing the upcoming Premier League clash with Bournemouth as a potential make-or-break fixture for the current boss, with concerns also being raised about how an Eddie Howe appointment might play out (Manchester Evening News).
On the transfer front, TeamTalk suggests Howe has already identified his first four signings worth a combined total of over £165million, should he take charge (TeamTalk). A separate TeamTalk report goes further, claiming Howe has "decided" on those four targets and that Rashford could be among the first players shown the door under a new regime (TeamTalk).
That links directly to another TeamTalk story, which claims Everton have opened talks over a "sensational" deal to sign Rashford before the January window, with United said to be lining up a Sporting CP left winger as his replacement (TeamTalk). Taken together, the picture painted across these reports is of a club preparing for significant upheaval both in the dugout and in the squad.
Away from the managerial and transfer talk, the Evening Standard provides an injury update on the current squad, reporting that Kobbie Mainoo has now missed United's last four games with what's described as a "miscellaneous muscle problem," with little clarity offered since he missed training before the Atletico game. The same update also touches on the fitness situations of Rashford and Luke Shaw (Evening Standard).
With Chelsea away on the horizon, these reports suggest a club at a crossroads - speculation over Carrick's position, a potential Howe revolution in the transfer market, and uncertainty hanging over key names like Rashford, all set against a backdrop of fresh injury concerns in defence and midfield.
Written with the help of AI, using the headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.