Dwight Yorke has named Eddie Howe as the 'standout' candidate to take over as Manchester United head coach if Michael Carrick is sacked, following a difficult start to the season.
Carrick, who guided United to a third-placed Premier League finish and Champions League qualification last term after replacing Ruben Amorim, was given the job on a full-time basis in the summer. However, United have won just once in their opening two months of the campaign and sit 13th in the table, without a win in six matches in all competitions.
Yorke questions Carrick's suitability
Speaking on Keys & Gray Unleashed, Yorke reacted to comments from former teammate Nicky Butt, who claimed Carrick had described management as 'too much' in a private conversation. Yorke said Butt 'threw Carrick under the bus' by revealing the discussion.
'I was a bit surprised, I thought he [Butt] kind of threw him under the bus in that sense that management is not really for him,' Yorke said. 'When you're hearing that sort of information come out, you wonder and question: is he really up for the job or is he just there because the job was kind of handed to him in many ways.'
Yorke, who initially backed Carrick's appointment on an interim basis in January, now admits he is unsure whether the club made the right decision. 'Putting my hands up, I was one that said give Carrick the chance, but then I look back at it now, see what we're doing, and I'm not sure if that was the right decision,' he added.
Howe emerges as leading contender
With Carrick's position under scrutiny, Yorke believes Howe, who left Newcastle in the summer, is the most viable option to take over at Old Trafford.
'The Eddie Howe scenario will raise a few eyebrows and yes, a man with a little bit more experience who has done obviously what he's done at Bournemouth and at Newcastle,' Yorke said. 'Who is out there? Howe would be one of those guys who stand out out there at the moment. He's not in a job, looking for a job.'
However, Yorke acknowledged that the pool of available top-level managers is thin, which could keep Carrick in his role for now. 'There are no top managerial candidates out there who can come in and really excite the people and the fans at Manchester United,' he said.
Upcoming fixtures
United return to Champions League action on Wednesday away to Cesc Fabregas' Como, before hosting Bournemouth in the Premier League four days later, as they look to end their winless run.
