Eddie Howe to Man Utd? The fans, the finances, the football structure
What Howe could bring to Man Utd - and what are the challenges? Given the expense of buying homegrown players, and the difficulties Michael Carrick - the first permanent British managerial appointment of the Ineos era - has faced this season, perhaps Ratcliffe is rethinking.
But if Carrick fails to stop the rot and loses his job, United are already considering the merits of appointing another British coach - albeit one who is more experienced. That Eddie Howe is a contender for a job that remains one of the most high-profile in world football isn't hard to fathom.
Speak to those who have worked alongside Howe and they describe a man whose track record of improving players is a direct result of his relentless approach on the training field. They will also tell you Howe is someone who places an unwavering importance on the methodology of setting a winning culture.
Howe may lack experience at one of the traditional top-six clubs, but his body of work at Bournemouth and Newcastle is impressive. Having been appointed Bournemouth boss with the club facing relegation from League Two in January 2009, Howe led them to the Premier League in 2015.
He went on to establish the Cherries as a top-flight club beforeleaving - for a second time - in 2020. In 2021, Howe was appointed Newcastle manager.
He led them from relegation trouble to qualification for the Champions League on two occasions andwon the EFL Cup- the club's first trophy in 56 years - in 2025. Mixed reception to Howe links Of course, managing Manchester United is an altogether different proposition.
Indeed, Howe's emergence as a potential successor to Carrick has been greeted with negativity in some circles. Sections of the fanbase have been vocal on social media with their opinion that Howe isn't a big enough name to replace Carrick.
Former United players Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt also fell short of providing their backing to Howe on their podcast, though it is worth pointing out they spoke in favour of the 48-year-old's potential appointment when Ruben Amorim was sacked in January. Ex-captain Roy Keane is among those to have backed Howe as a possible successor to Carrick, and other former top-flight players - including Darren Bent, Gareth Barry and Jack Wilshere - have also touted him as the man for the job.
Of course, if you look hard enough you'll find voices for and against every potential manager, and it will be up to United chief executive Omar Berrada, sporting director Jason Wilcox and director of recruitment Christopher Vivell to weigh up how they proceed. Their first decision will be what happens with Carrick, and Saturday's match against Chelsea is likely to have a bearing on how United move forward.