Eddie Howe and Michael Carrick on the sidelines at Newcastle and Man United respectively
Eddie Howe and Michael Carrick on the sidelines at Newcastle and Man United respectively
The former Newcastle United manager is taking a break from football after leaving St James' Park in the summer, but there is a feeling he could be lured back in by the right offer.
Carrick is coming under increasing pressure, with a feeling his position has become untenable following a 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth at Old Trafford last time out.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Howe would be interested in taking over from Carrick if the change is made in the near future.
Reports elsewhere have suggested the former Newcastle boss is the favourite of sporting director Jason Wilcox, who himself has faced pressure in recent weeks.
Other options are also being considered behind the scenes, but Howe's admirers on the Man United board have placed him in a strong position to land the job.
Could Eddie Howe land the Man United job?
Football Insider revealed on 11 October that Howe would be interested in taking the Man United job, and could be tempted back into management if he is approached.
The board had initially been keen to stick by Carrick, and reports have claimed a decision has still not been made about his future as the Man United manager.
However, should they decide to pull the trigger in the coming days, Howe is being lined up as the most likely contender to replace him, and is willing to step into the role.
"From what I've heard, it sounds like Eddie Howe is the favourite for the Man United job," Brown told Football Insider.
"He's available at the moment after he left Newcastle, and he's got a great record in the Premier League, plus it would follow their plans to appoint and English manager.
"He definitely has admirers on the board, so if they do decide to part ways with Michael Carrick as expected, I'd imagine Howe will be one of the first people they approach.
"I expect he would be open to the job as well, because it is hard to turn down Man United even in this state, so there is a good chance he could be the man to take over.
"There are other managers being considered as well, they won't put all their eggs in one basket, but Howe is going to be the leading target with all things considered."
Who else is on Man United's managerial shortlist?
Howe has emerged as the leading candidate for the Man United job, but he is not the only big-name manager being linked, as the club continue to weigh up their options.
The likes of Julian Nagelsmann and Fabian Hurzeler have been linked with the position in recent weeks, and are also believed to have admirers on the board at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on 26 October that Man United view Aston Villa manager Unai Emery as their "dream" managerial appointment if Carrick is sacked.
The outstanding job the Spaniard has done at Villa Park has placed him firmly on the shortlist at Old Trafford, but there are doubts about whether he would take the job.
Sources say it would take a significant compensation fee to prise Emery away from Aston Villa, while the manager remains committed to his project in the West Midlands.