Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has delivered his verdict on Eddie Howe’s potential appointment at Manchester United.

Alan Shearer has doubted whether former Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe would be a success at Manchester United.

Howe has emerged as a strong candidate to take over at Old Trafford as the pressure continues to mount on Michael Carrick following the 2-0 defeat at Chelsea on Saturday.

The Red Devils have gone nine matches without a victory for the first time in 38 years, while their only wins so far this campaign have come against Ipswich Town in the Premier League and Sabah FK in the Champions League.

Former player and TV Pundit Alan Shearer interacts with Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Newcastle United FC and FC Barcelona at St James' Park on March 10, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) | Getty Images

placeholder image — Former player and TV Pundit Alan Shearer interacts with Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Newcastle United FC and FC Barcelona at St James' Park on March 10, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) | Getty Images

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“I am surprised Michael Carrick is still in a job,” Shearer said. “I'm pleased for him because it's a mess at the football club and it's not all his fault. I just wonder whether things that they were planning to do, they couldn't quite get done in time for this weekend's trip to Chelsea.

“I hope he turns it around. I've seen no evidence to suggest that it can be done, and you'd guess with the attitude of the players in recent weeks, then there'd have to be a monumental shift for him to turn it around. It's not impossible, but highly unlikely.”

Alan Shearer ‘unsure’ on Eddie Howe to Manchester United

Howe has been discussed as a potential successor to Carrick, three months after he stepped down as Newcastle head coach. During his four-and-a-half years at St James’ Park, the 48-year-old won the Carabao Cup and twice qualified for the Champions League.

But Shearer is unsure if Howe is the man to steady the ship, not because of his ability, but because of the wider issues at Old Trafford.

“I don't know if Eddie Howe would go in and turn it around at Manchester United,” Shearer told Betfair. “They would have to compensate Newcastle because of the time left on his contract. Eddie likes control and, whether he would get that at Old Trafford, I don't know.

“I feel uncomfortable, when someone's in a job, talking about another manager who could potentially come in, but Howe is Newcastle's most successful manager in my lifetime and he did an unbelievable job, dragging us out of the relegation zone into great Champions League and delivering that trophy. He's a highly talented coach and manager, but we've seen many of those go into Man Utd and fail.

“I couldn't give him any advice. I know the size of the football club and, even though the team are very different to what they were 20 or 30 years ago, I understand the pull of Man Utd still. It's a really tough task going in there because of how they are being run.”

Should Man United appoint Howe, then Newcastle would be entitled to around £3million in compensation under the terms of his departure.

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