Eddie Howe open to Man Utd talks as transfer and managerial links circulate

On 25 October 2026, Sky Sports reported that former Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe would be open to holding talks with Manchester United if the club parted company with under-pressure manager Michael Carrick, while other media outlets linked United to defensive reinforcements and several managerial candidates. The reports appeared in Monday's gossip round-up and covered targets and potential appointments across the Premier League and Europe.

Howe, who is out of work, was identified specifically as someone who would be interested in speaking to Manchester United should the Old Trafford club decide to move on from Carrick, according to Sky Sports. That item led the compilation of transfer and managerial rumours gathered from multiple sources for the Monday column.

Manchester United are reported to be targeting 24-year-old Everton and England defender Jarrad Branthwaite as part of an effort to make big changes to their defence, a move detailed by Football Insider. The report described Branthwaite as a principal defensive target for the club amid the wider recruitment drive outlined in the gossip column.

Former Watford, Burnley, Everton and Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche is identified as the frontrunner for the Crystal Palace job if the Eagles sack manager Pierre Sage, according to The Telegraph. Talksport added that former Brentford boss Thomas Frank, former Wolves manager Vitor Pereira and former Ferencvaros boss Robbie Keane might also be in the running for the Palace vacancy.

Tottenham's Sweden midfielder Lucas Bergvall, 20, is reported to be a target for Napoli and Barcelona, with the story attributed to Tuttomercato via Teamtalk. Separately, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are said to be monitoring Bayern Munich's 18-year-old Germany midfielder Lennart Karl, as reported by Teamtalk.

Manchester United will not terminate the registration of academy forward JJ Gabriel, 16, while Barcelona and Paris St-Germain seek to reach an agreement over the player, according to Football Insider. That report set out the clubs involved and the club's current administrative stance on the youngster's registration.

Brazil defender Dodo, 27, is reported to be set to leave Fiorentina when his contract ends in the summer, with AC Milan, Juventus and Barcelona linked to the player by Football Italia. Gianluca di Marzo reported that Brighton and RB Leipzig are among clubs interested in Juventus' 19-year-old Germany Under-19s midfielder Adin Licina, who is on loan at Cremonese.

The registration decision concerning JJ Gabriel means he will not be able to leave Manchester United until January while Barcelona and Paris St-Germain seek to reach an agreement, according to Football Insider.