Howe open to Man Utd talks - Monday's gossip

Howe open to Manchester United talks if Carrick departs; United target Branthwaite and monitor Karl; Dyche frontrunner for Crystal Palace.

Eddie Howe, the former Newcastle United manager currently out of work, would be interested in speaking with Manchester United if the club decides to part ways with under-pressure manager Michael Carrick.

Meanwhile, Manchester United are actively targeting a move for Everton and England defender Jarrad Branthwaite, 24, as part of a major defensive overhaul. The club is also monitoring Bayern Munich's 18-year-old Germany midfielder Lennart Karl, alongside Arsenal and Liverpool.

Elsewhere, Sean Dyche is the frontrunner for the Crystal Palace job should the Eagles sack manager Pierre Sage, with Thomas Frank and Vitor Pereira also in contention. Tottenham's Lucas Bergvall is a target for Napoli and Barcelona, while Manchester United will not release academy forward JJ Gabriel, 16, until January despite interest from Barcelona and Paris St-Germain.