Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd make Carrick sack decision; Arsenal want Bayern star; Chelsea, Liverpool latest

Manchester United sack Michael Carrick after eight-match winless run; Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool pursue multiple January targets including Bayern's Lennart Karl and Bournemouth's Alex Scott.

Manchester United have sacked Michael Carrick after a dismal run of form that saw the club win just one of their first eight league matches. The 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth on Sunday, following a 4-0 Champions League loss at Como, proved the final straw. Carrick, appointed permanent manager on a two-year deal just five months ago, leaves United sitting 17th in the Premier League with seven points from eight games.

Eddie Howe is the clear favourite to replace him, with Julian Nagelsmann, Antonio Conte and Unai Emery also linked. Howe, available after leaving Newcastle, is said to be keen on the challenge.

Meanwhile, the Premier League's top clubs are active in the transfer market. Arsenal are targeting Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi, Atletico Madrid's Alex Baena and Bayern Munich's 18-year-old Lennart Karl. Chelsea and Liverpool are competing for Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, while Liverpool are also monitoring Kylian Mbappe's situation and have been linked with a return for former defender Trent Alexander-Arnold. Tottenham are being linked with Real Madrid forward Endrick. Spurs and Newcastle have both made contact with AC Milan's Fikayo Tomori and Ruben Loftus-Cheek ahead of their summer contract expiries.