PAUL SCHOLES has tipped Eddie Howe to replace Michael Carrick if he has a “complete disaster” at Manchester United this season.

, 45, was handed the permanent job as Red Devils boss after a successful interim period where he guided the club to third.

: Premier League - Fulham v Newcastle UnitedEddie Howe has been tipped to replace Michael Carrick at Man Utd by Paul Scholes Credit: Reuters Kingston upon Hull, UK. 22nd Aug, 2026. Michael Carrick manager of Manchester United during the Hull City vs Manchester United Premier League match at the MKM Stadium, Kingston upon Hull. Picture credit should read: Andrew Yates/Sportimage Credit: SpCarrick lost the first game of the season against Hull Credit: Alamy

However, while the former midfielder collected 12 wins in that spell to get the club back into the , this season was kicked off with a nightmare loss to Hull.

A summer riddled by inaction aside from replacing two midfielders – ‘s departure and ‘s long-term injury – in and Andrey Santos led to fan pessimism even before the defeat.

has since joined from Brighton as another midfield recruit which could add legs to a side which saw its midfield outrun by some margin against Hull.

But should things fail to improve, Scholes suggested it would not be a surprise to see Howe take over.

The 48-year-old left Newcastle earlier this month in protest of the sale of Bruno Guimaraes to .

Scholes, 51, and former team-mate Dion Dublin believe Howe’s first port of call would be if were to leave or be sacked, though his deal doesn’t expire until after the 2028 Euros.

Dublin told The Good, The Bad, The Football podcast: “I think England before Man Utd.

“I think they’ve earmarked him for England.”

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Scholes agreed before adding: “If it’s a complete disaster for Michael, it wouldn’t be the biggest shock in the world, would it?”

He added: “International managers are becoming younger and younger.

“It used to be you’d get to 60 [and you’d think] ‘I can have a nice little 10 days each month’.”

Carrick will be hoping for better fortunes when Man Utd return to and face newly-promoted Ipswich in front of their home fans.

NINTCHDBPICT001103314867Scholes reckons it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Howe end up at Man Utd if Carrick departed Credit: YouTube

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