Nagelsmann

Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann are emerging as early contenders to become the next Manchester United head coach if Michael Carrick loses his job.

Carrick’s position at Old Trafford is under major threat following the club’s poor start to the season, with work towards identifying his successor believed to be ongoing.

It is understood Howe and Nagelsmann both feature prominently on the list of candidates the club has explored to potentially replace him, and that both managers are aware of United’s interest.

Sources have also indicated Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is admired at United, but the fact he is under contract would complicate any move for the Spaniard.

Howe, Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte – who is interested in the job – are out of work, making their potential appointments easier.

Multiple sources have told BBC Sport that former Newcastle boss Howe is fully open to joining United if Carrick loses his job.

Nagelsmann is available after leaving his job as Germany head coach after the World Cup, while Conte – who has also been linked with Juventus – is open to returning to football after leaving Napoli in May.

Should Carrick be dismissed, the 20-time English top-flight champions will be looking to appoint their eighth permanent manager or head coach since Sir Alex Ferguson departed the club in 2013 on the back of winning their most recent title.

Here, BBC Sport takes a closer look at the contenders who could be up for the job.

Manchester United linked with Antonio Conte, Unai Emery, Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann among others if they part ways with manager Michael Carrick, Arsenal targeting Atletico Madrid’s Alex Baena and monitoring Monza striker Gustavo Varela.

Manchester United technical director Jason Wilcox appears to prefer appointing ex-Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe if the club sack manager Michael Carrick. (Talksport), external

Manchester United would consider Julian Nagelsmann if they part ways with Carrick and the former Bayern Munich and Germany boss is keen on the role. (Telegraph – subscription required), external

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is also among Manchester United‘s dream candidates to replace Carrick. (i news), external

Manchester United have opened talks with former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Antonio Conte about the possibility of returning to the Premier League. (La Repubblica – in Italian), external

Manchester United, external would likely have to pay a world record fee if they want to replace Carrick with Fabian Hurzeler and prise the German away from Brighton. (Telegraph – subscription required), external

However, Brighton boss Hurzeler would not be interested in the Manchester United job if it became available. (Talksport), external

Arsenal are targeting a potential move for Atletico Madrid and Spain’s World Cup-winning winger Alex Baena, 25, in the January window. (FootballTransfers), external

Arsenal are also monitoring Monza striker Gustavo Varela, 21, with Napoli and Benfica also interested in the Portuguese player. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian) , external

Brazil defender Gleison Bremer is wanted by Bayer Leverkusen and the 29-year-old could leave Juventus in January. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian), external

Aston Villa are looking at signing Real Madrid striker Endrick, Liverpool are weighing up a move for Barcelona’s Marc Bernal and Everton are leading the chase for Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul.

Aston Villa are planning to make a move to sign 20-year-old Brazil striker Endrick on loan from Real Madrid in January. (Football Insider), external

Former Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann has been linked with a return to RB Leipzig but Red Bull football chief Roger Schmidt has rejected those rumours and backed current boss Martin Demichelis. (Sky Sports Germany), external

Liverpool are considering a move for 19-year-old Barcelona and Spain midfielder Marc Bernal. (Fichajes – in Spanish, external)

Arsenal, Aston Villa and Newcastle United are chasing Norway forward Antonio Nusa, who is valued at £60m by RB Leipzig. (Ekrem Konur), external

England striker Dominic Solanke, 29, has no plans to look at a move away from Tottenham, even with Spurs planning to add to their attack in January. (Football Insider), external

Aston Villa have set aside the money for a possible £18m bid to sign Athletico Paranaense and Colombia striker Kevin Viveros, 26. (RTI Esporte – in Portuguese, external)

Everton hold the strongest interest in Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul, although Aston Villa, Brentford, Brighton and Leeds United have the 26-year-old France international on their radar. (Teamtalk), external