Manchester United icon Paul Scholes has made his stance clear on the future of Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford, suggesting that Eddie Howe should be the man to take over if INEOS opts to make a managerial change. With United enduring one of their worst starts in Premier League history, pressure continues to mount on the Portuguese boss following a dismal 2024/25 campaign and an uninspiring start to the current season.
Scholes: United ‘Predictably’ Set to Lose at Anfield
Speaking on The Overlap, Scholes didn’t hold back in assessing United’s prospects ahead of a daunting trip to face Liverpool at Anfield on October 19. Despite a much-needed 2-0 win over Sunderland, the former midfielder believes United remain firmly in a slump.
“Right now, I’d just be thinking about getting a draw at Anfield,” said Scholes. “It’s not even about going there to win—just stop them from scoring, somehow. That tells you where United are right now.”
Scholes pointed to United’s continued struggles in big matches, noting that confidence in the squad is alarmingly low. He added: “It feels predictable—they’ll go there and get beat.”
A Nightmare Under Amorim
Ruben Amorim’s tenure has not lived up to expectations. Last season, United finished a shocking 15th in the Premier League and missed out on European qualification after losing the Europa League final to Tottenham. This year has hardly been more encouraging: they sit tenth after eight matches and were knocked out of the League Cup by League Two outfit Grimsby Town.
Reports suggested that Amorim’s job was on the line before the Sunderland match, and although the win bought him some time, Scholes believes the clock is ticking.
“Going On Too Long” – Scholes on Managerial Uncertainty
“The manager’s probably been there a bit too long now, similar to what happened with Ten Hag,” Scholes said. “No one wants to see someone lose their job—we all want him to turn things around—but you get the feeling it’s only a matter of time.”
INEOS, who now hold significant influence over football operations at the club, have been linked with a number of potential replacements, including Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, Brighton’s Fabian Hürzeler, Fulham’s Marco Silva, and former England boss Gareth Southgate.
Scholes’ Pick: Eddie Howe the Ideal Successor
Among the rumored candidates, one name stands out for Scholes—Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe.
“Eddie Howe. I’m not too sure about his assistant [Jason Tindall], but definitely him,” Scholes said confidently when asked who he’d appoint if Amorim is shown the door.
Howe has earned plaudits for revitalizing Newcastle and guiding them to Champions League qualification, making him an intriguing option should United seek a new direction.
As Manchester United prepare for a critical showdown at Anfield, the pressure on Ruben Amorim continues to intensify. With club legends like Paul Scholes openly advocating for change, and names like Eddie Howe being floated as potential successors, all eyes will be on Old Trafford’s next move if results don’t improve quickly.
