How Man Utd could hire their answer to Unai Emery

For now, it looks like Manchester United are sticking with Michael Carrick.

The right call from INEOS? Well, the hierarchy seem content with holding fire for now, but whether this is an act of prudence or merely the idle thumb-twiddling of decision-makers who don’t know what to do remains to be seen.

What we can say for sure is that Carrick should not shoulder all of the blame. The issues at Old Trafford can be traced back to the 2013/14 season, when Sir Alex Ferguson had stood down and Carrick still played an important role as a centre-midfielder at the club.

But though the 45-year-old might not be the problem, he might also lack the answers to this uncrackable code which has damaged United for so many years now. After all, Carrick’s not on the same level as someone like Unai Emery.

Why Man Utd want to hire Unai Emery

After nine games, Manchester United find themselves in an imperilled position in the Premier League. Just one win on the board, and above the relegation zone only on goal difference.

A new manager can make all the difference. Carrick can attest to that after providing such an emphatic facelift in January, replacing Ruben Amorim after that disastrous stint. However, it feels like Emery would offer more while cementing a lasting project.

In regard to the Spaniard, the proof is in the pudding. He led Sevilla to three Europa League titles before winning the continent’s second-tier tournament once more with Villarreal (beating the Red Devils on penalties) and Aston Villa last term, thrashing Freiburg 3-0 in the final.

Emery knows what it means to win a trophy, but he also knows how to turn an average team into the most envied out there. Aston Villa were a mess before he took the reins, and The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell has since named him “the Premier League’s best coach”.

However, wrenching Emery away from Villa Park may be difficult. There’s no doubting INEOS’s interest, but with the Spanish coach fronting a new-look Villa and

Man Utd must hire their own Emery ASAP

Emery is one of the most talented managers in the world, but if he is going to be out of reach for the Manchester United persuasion, INEOS need to ensure they find the perfect fallback to replace Carrick.

According to journalist Alan Nixon on his Patreon, Man United could have their man in Eddie Howe, who has been out of work since leaving Newcastle United this summer, drawing down the curtain on a sombre note, sure, but leaving St. James’ Park as their most successful manager in many decades.

Howe is keen on taking the job at Old Trafford as per Nixon, though it shouldn’t be a huge surprise that he harbours steep reservations over decisions being made by those above him. He will want to wield power and authority regarding transfers and key decisions impacting the first team. Via the Guardian, talks are already underway between INEOS and Howe regarding his terms so they will be well aware of what he wants should they give Carrick the boot.

So, why would he be a good hire? Well, former Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley once described Howe as the “perfect manager” to front the Magpies project. He struck a balance between exciting and progressive play and a degree of pragmatism which ended up carrying Newcastle into the upper echelons of English and European football.

Howe might feel like something of a pragmatic pick, but in many ways, it would make a lot of sense. He is grounded and still tactically astute. He is experienced and knows the taste of a major title. When at their apex, his Newcastle teams were among the most aggressive and intense units in Europe.

At the end of his tenure, the wheels came off, but Howe still turned Newcastle into one of the most impressive outfits in the country, mirroring the Villa in securing two Champions League campaigns across three seasons, winning silverware besides. For his efforts, Jamie Carragher regards him as “the next England manager”.

Both Howe and Emery have disrupted the big-six dominance in the Premier League, sustaining high levels for a number of seasons.

Carrick has kept his foot in the door for the moment, but Man United can ill-afford to sink even deeper than they have in recent weeks.

Perhaps the most frustrating thing is that United are not plumbing new depths right now. They need to make change and keep up that standard. Howe could be the ‘perfect’ man for that job.