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Roy Keane's Pick for New Man Utd Manager: Eddie Howe Emerges as Top Contender

Manchester United legend Roy Keane has endorsed Eddie Howe as the ideal candidate to succeed Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford. As the club nears a caretaker appointment following Amorim's departure, Keane believes that United should consider luring Howe away from Newcastle, where he has thrived. Despite speculation linking Howe with a move to United in the past, the club is currently focused on an interim appointment until the end of the season. Meanwhile, former fan favorites Carrick, Solskjaer, and Van Nistelrooy are also in contention for the role.

Roy Keane's Pick for New Man Utd Manager: Eddie Howe Emerges as Top Contender

Manchester United legend Roy Keane has revealed who he wants to succeed Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford. The Red Devils are back in the market for a new manager after parting company with a Portuguese tactician, and former captain Keane believes that they should look close to home by trying to prise Eddie Howe away from Premier League rivals Newcastle.Howe has previously been linked with a move to Manchester, with his name being mentioned ahead of the 2025-26 campaign - when United were reportedly mulling over what to do with Amorim on the back of a 15th-placed finish and failure to qualify for Europe.The 48-year-old’s stock remains high after leading Newcastle to Carabao Cup glory and a place in the Champions League last season. He is, however, one of several names being mooted as a future boss at Old Trafford.United have, after severing ties with Amorim on January 5, decided that they want an interim appointment through to the end of the current campaign - with former fan favourites Michael Carrick, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ruud van Nistelrooy all in the mix as Darren Fletcher fills the dugout at present on a caretaker basis.Solskjaer enjoyed a productive spell as interim boss following Jose Mourinho’s sacking in 2018-19, before going on to spend almost three years at the helm. Quizzed on whether his fellow 1999 Treble winner would be the right choice again, ex-Red Devils captain Keane told Sky Sports: “You could throw 20 names at me and I'd still say the same thing. Whoever goes in, you wish them well. Do I think it's the right or wrong answer? I don't know. If it's until the end of the season, I think Ole would do alright. Do I see Ole as the manager for the next four or five seasons, getting United back competing, then probably not.”Pressed further on who he would turn to, Keane added: “'I'd go Eddie Howe. I like him. I like what he's done, his management. He's managed a lot of games, when his teams are at it, they play good football.“I know he's not for everyone, he'll have his critics but I like what he's done at Newcastle and Bournemouth, he's managed 700 to 800 games, he's still a young man. I love his calmness, I think sometimes Man United need a bit of that.“We've seen the previous manager going in - I like people with emotion, obviously I'm quite an emotional person - but I think his calmness, what he's done at Newcastle, Champions League a couple of times, winning the (League) Cup. I'd be happy to see him go in there.”Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Howe has sought to distance himself from the United speculation, saying when asked about those rumours prior to Newcastle playing out a thrilling 4-3 victory over Leeds at St James’ Park: “Nothing has changed from my perspective. I'm 100 per cent here, working as hard as I can, head down, ignoring all the stuff that you guys write, good or bad, because it's irrelevant.“It's about today's work and trying to prepare the team, so that will never change from my perspective, my commitment to my work and my job. As long as I'm happy and able to express myself in the best way that I can to help the team, nothing will change.”Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingHowe is working on a long-term contract at Newcastle, with it being suggested that United would need to part with an “eight-figure” compensation package in order to free him from that agreement.With that in mind, it comes as little surprise to find that Oliver Glasner is registering prominently on their recruitment radar. The Austrian is another with Premier League experience and will see his deal at Crystal Palace expire in the summer - freeing him to take on a new challenge.While working through future plans, United are looking to keep focus locked on the present. They were held to a disappointing 2-2 draw by Burnley in Fletcher’s first game at the helm - keeping them seventh in the table - and will be back in action on Sunday when taking in an FA Cup third-round clash with Brighton.

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Eddie Howe: The Preferred Choice

Manchester United's search for a new manager has taken an interesting turn with Roy Keane openly backing Eddie Howe as the prime candidate. Keane admires Howe's impressive managerial record at Newcastle and Bournemouth, citing his calm demeanor and ability to produce attractive, effective football. Despite United's current preference for an interim boss, the endorsement from a club legend like Keane carries significant weight in Howe's favor.

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Current United Situation

Following Ruben Amorim's departure, Manchester United have opted for a caretaker setup with Darren Fletcher stepping in temporarily. While former manager Solskjaer's name is being mentioned again, Keane has reservations about his long-term suitability. With the club aiming for stability and success, the decision on the next permanent manager will be crucial for United's future trajectory.

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Challenges Ahead

As United navigates through the search for the new manager, challenges lie ahead on and off the pitch. The team's recent draw against Burnley highlighted the need for strong leadership and tactical acumen. Howe's proven track record of success in the Premier League, including European competitions, positions him as a strong contender to take on the demanding role at Old Trafford.

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Looking Forward

While speculation swirls around potential candidates, including Oliver Glasner, United must remain focused on immediate fixtures such as the upcoming FA Cup clash with Brighton. The transition to a new manager will require careful planning and execution to ensure a seamless handover and maximize performance on the pitch. With Keane's endorsement, Eddie Howe emerges as a leading candidate to usher in a new era at Manchester United.

Published on Jan 9, 2026
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