How Man Utd will line up under potential new manager Eddie Howe
Eddie Howe is the favourite to replace Michael Carrick at Manchester United after the under-fire coach was left on the brink of being sacked following a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth.
United are expected to part ways with Carrick this week after an eight-match winless run which has seen several senior players voice their concern over the club’s situation.
Replacements have already been sounded out by United and Howe is understood to be the top choice for Director of Football Jason Wilcox after leaving Newcastle in July.
With the Englishman potentially in line to be appointed ahead of the club’s next match against Chelsea next weekend, FootballTransfers explores how Man Utd’s team might look under Howe.
How Man Utd will line up under Eddie Howe
In goal, Senne Lammens is likely to keep his place even after a poor run of form which saw the 24-year-old make a fatal error during the loss to Bournemouth on Sunday.
Leny Yoro has featured at right-back in recent weeks and, while Howe is not averse to playing centre-backs out wide, having done so with Dan Burn at Newcastle, it is more likely that a natural option such as Diogo Dalot or Noussair Mazraoui are selected.
Dalot is currently playing on the left flank in the absence of Luke Shaw, however the former England international is United’s only specialist left-back and is expected to reclaim that role when he is fit.
Having relied on the leadership, experience and aerial presence of Burn at Newcastle, Howe could utilise Harry Maguire in a similar role at centre-back, while Yoro will be more likely to start next to him ahead of Lisandro Martinez due to his physical stature.
The midfield is where major changes could happen and Carlos Baleba may end up getting the nod over Youri Tielemans at the six, with Howe preferring athletic, physical players who can cover ground.
Although Bruno Fernandes’ best football has been played as a 10, Howe’s preference for a 4-3-3 may see the playmaker utilised as more of an eight, although the workrate of Baleba and, most likely Kobbie Mainoo as a third midfielder, could allow the United captain space to operate.
Bryan Mbeumo was one of Howe’s top targets at Newcastle before he joined United and, subsequently, the Cameroonian may end up becoming the focal point of the team’s attack, even if he is fielded out wide.
Matheus Cunha was also wanted by Howe at Newcastle, making the Brazilian a more expected starter than Marcus Rashford, who might struggle to impose himself under the potential new manager unless his out-of-possession work improves.
However, the biggest beneficiary of Howe’s potential arrival may be Benjamin Sesko who, again, rejected Newcastle to join United, although the 23-year-old’s latest injury could see Joshua Zirkzee given a chance to impress due to the coach’s familiarity with using a big target man like Alexander Isak.
Man Utd’s ideal starting XI under Eddie Howe
GK: Senne Lammens
RB: Diogo Dalot
CB: Harry Maguire
CB: Leny Yoro
LB: Luke Shaw
DM: Carlos Baleba
CM: Kobbie Mainoo
CM: Bruno Fernandes
RW: Bryan Mbeumo
ST: Benjamin Sesko
LW: Matheus Cunha
