With Manchester United now eight matches without a win, director of football Jason Wilcox has identified Eddie Howe as his first choice should the club decide to replace Michael Carrick. The club's hierarchy believe the former Newcastle United manager's years of Premier League experience give him the edge over the other candidates. According to The Telegraph, prospective managers believe the United dressing room is out of control and that the players talk too much off the pitch. Determined to stamp out public criticism within the squad, Carrick has even refused to rule out stripping Bruno Fernandes of the captaincy.
The chaos is deepening. Brighton & Hove Albion manager Fabian Hürzeler, whose side sit third in the Premier League on 16 points, has meanwhile suggested he could be ready for a career step up at the end of the season. For now, though, he has distanced himself from talk of a move to Old Trafford. Elsewhere in the papers, there is transfer news too: Real Madrid's German defender Antonio Rüdiger is staying in Spain despite interest from Tottenham Hotspur, while free agent Jadon Sancho plans to meet Getafe's manager before deciding on a move to the Spanish club.
