Eddie Howe’s two red lines for Man Utd job with Emery out of reach

Unai Emery’s decision to open talks on a long-term deal at Aston Villa has cleared the way for Eddie Howe to emerge Manchester United’s number one candidate if they decide to change manager in the international break. Howe is understood to be open to talking to Manchester United’s hierarchy if there is a vacancy but sources say he is not “waiting by the phone” and there have been no talks in recent days. There is a split in the Old Trafford boardroom about what to do next – and that has given Michael Carrick a stay of execution. Compensation would be due to his former club Newcastle United – understood to be around £3m but declining in stages before he essentially becomes a free agent in the summer – if United did make a move for Howe. For all that an element of Manchester United’s fans are uncertain about the former Newcastle boss, the Emery developments should focus some minds at Old Trafford. As The i Paper reported a fortnight ago, he was viewed as the “dream candidate” by some inside United who thought a bold play could be made to a manager frustrated by some of the constraints placed on his club by Uefa and Premier League financial rules. Perhaps the Manchester United of old would have been able to do that. Emery is set to extend his Aston Villa contract (Photo: Getty) But it was always going to be extremely difficult to extricate Emery from Villa, where he has ambitious owners and also – and this is critical – a huge level of influence in a football set-up where he feels comfortable. Swapping that for Old Trafford, where there is increasing uncertainty over the future of director of football Jason Wilcox was never going to be something he would wait around for.Howe, by contrast, would be more than likely willing to work in that structure. He also likes to control recruitment and had considerable influence over football matters at Newcastle but those close to him bristle at suggestions he cannot operate with a director of football he doesn’t know. He is collaborative and diplomatic which, given the circus that the club can be, would be useful tools to have. As it stands United are willing to give Carrick time and a comeback win against Roma in midweek quietened some of the noise around his position. But there are still plenty in football who feel that the international break gives the club a good juncture to make a change – especially if Manchester United are beaten by Emery’s Villa on Sunday and are left languishing in the bottom three. Contingency planning is going on in the background., but sources insist there is a sincere wish to back Carrick and the players seem to be onside again too. Bruno Fernandes has spoken in support of Carrick with the two having patched up their differences. The latest on Howe There’s enthusiasm for Howe’s appointment from Wilcox. That support is by no means universal. If it was, you suspect that he would have been in charge by now. On Howe’s part, the role clearly fits the sort of job he would be interested in after Newcastle. He did a superb job at St James’ Park and is in no rush to return to management. The idea that he would be tempted out of a much-needed break from football to join a club in relegation trouble can be dismissed – his ambition would be to take on a job of equal or greater stature as Newcastle. The win over Roma has given Carrick another stay of execution (Photo: Getty) For all their problems Manchester United tick that box and, along with the England job, would be the most natural fit for Howe. But he will be aware he is unpopular with some elements of their fanbase, with waning support from some Newcastle fans playing into his thinking when he stepped away. He would also want final say over recruitment and an idea of what the Manchester United power lines look like. The appointment of Paul Mitchell above his head two years ago created issues and while they worked together, it was an uneasy relationship. A wholesale rebuild at Old Trafford would need buy in from everyone. It would be a sensible appointment. Howe is Newcastle’s most successful manager of the modern era, ending their long trophy drought and bringing two Champions League finishes. While you could make an argument about whether he belongs in the “elite” tier yet, his sides were explosive going forward and robust in midfield. He was popular in the dressing room. He ticks a lot of boxes for what a team in 17th place and under-achieving badly require. Read more Pete Hall: JJ Gabriel’s father risks derailing the career of a generational talent Man Utd: Michael Carrick has found Man Utd’s saviour – now he has to trust him Who are the other candidates? The split in the boardroom is partly because director of recruitment Christopher Vivell believes Julian Nagelsmann, the former Germany boss, is the more compelling candidate. Nagelsmann is understood to be keen. Como’s Cesc Fabregas, who has enjoyed a stellar start to his managerial career, is also on their radar, while Antonio Conte is really keen on the role. Conte’s temperament is a question mark for United. At a club where controversy is never far away, it is questionable whether a manager famous for outbursts against his higher-ups would be advisable.