It feels like one of the most repeated lines in Premier League history, but it is once again a fact. After six games, Manchester United have made their worst start to a league season in 40 years.

It has been nothing short of a disaster for Michael Carrick, who is staring down the same barrel that Ole Gunnar Solskjær once faced.

The decision to hire yet another manager following an impressive interim spell always looked likely to end one way. Insanity is simply repeating the same step time and time again and hoping for a different result. Man United have long been on the wrong end of crazy.

Carrick is a man out of his depth and Tottenham Hotspur's late equaliser should act as the latest nail in the coffin of his tenure.

Man Utd must make brutal Carrick decision ASAP

In the year of 2026, the status of Man United legend should not allow access to the technical area. And that may sound harsh on Carrick after an impressive interim spell, but the facts expose how absurd INEOS' decision was.

Put his club legacy to one side and Carrick's managerial experience stretches into a Middlesbrough spell which never ended in promotion.

This is a young manager who always needed more work away from Old Trafford. Going from the sack at Boro to the hot seat at Old Trafford was always an almighty step and, ultimately, a step too far.

There are significant flaws in Carrick's system similar to ones seen under Erik ten Hag and even Ruben Amorim.

As much as the manager refused to admit that his side lacks intensity, the space between his frontline, midfield and backline suggests that Man United simply aren't competing off the ball.

Only four sides have covered less distance than Man United in the Premier League so far this season and that's a major problem for Carrick. It points to two issues. The first of which is simple - United are simply not physical enough. The second of which is the fact that United are having more possession than last season.

That's the biggest issue for Carrick, who is being exposed as a manager who thrives in transition but cannot cope when asked to control games in possession. And when in charge of arguably the biggest club in England, that will only end one way.

Why Man Utd must hire another English coach to replace Carrick

So where do Man United go from here? Do they tuck their tails between their legs for the umpteenth time, admit they got it wrong and swiftly move on?

Does Sir Jim Ratcliffe ignore ego and make the right decision? Even he, in his usual stubborn self, may have no choice.

The managerial market is perfectly placed to drag United out of the hole they once again find themselves in. Some may say they've been in that hole for over a decade, digging themselves in as a ludicrous attempt to escape.

This time, however, Eddie Howe has the chance to offer them a hand out of disaster. Reports earlier this week suggested that the owners were 'ready' to bring him to Old Trafford should Carrick receive his marching orders.

The former Newcastle United boss makes perfect sense for the Red Devils. He didn't always operate on a major budget at Newcastle due to PSR constraints, and that will please Ratcliffe, and he majorly overachieved at St James' Park, qualifying for the Champions League and winning the Carabao Cup.

Unlike Carrick, this is a manager full of experience across English football. He transformed Bournemouth, welcomed a new era at Newcastle and can drag United back to glory.

In some ways, Howe is similar to Carrick. His Newcastle side always thrived in transition. Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak and Jacob Murphy provided an excellent trio to do just that like Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha do at Old Trafford.

The difference is that Howe can and did adapt at Newcastle. When the Magpies were asked to control games as they stepped into the top six, they outmatched opposition sides on a physical level and had the ability to control.

Howe, at his best, managed a side who were deadly going forward and just as good going the other way as Sven Botman and Fabian Schar thrived.

Whilst Jamie Carragher dubbed him the "next England manager", it's Man United who should be first in line to snap up Howe as soon as possible.