Four players Eddie Howe would demand Man Utd sign in January if he replaces Michael Carrick as Jim Ratcliffe backing emerges

Eddie Howe is a frontrunner to land the Manchester United job if Michael Carrick is sacked, and here are the players he could demand in January.

Howe announced his shock departure from Newcastle United at the end of July after a successful four-and-a-half years at St James' Park.

The Englishman delivered the Toon's first major trophy in almost 56 years after beating Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final last year, while guiding them to Champions League football twice.

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Now, almost three months on from his exit from the club - citing exhaustion and a need to recharge as his reason for leaving - Howe could return to management with one of English football's most successful clubs.

Eddie Howe is Jason Wilcox's preferred manager option at Man United

Carrick is on the brink of being sacked by Man United after their humiliating 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League.

The 45-year-old, who only signed a two-year contract earlier this year, will remain in the dugout against Bournemouth on Sunday, but his future beyond that is unclear.

In case they do pull the trigger, Howe has emerged as one of the leading contenders to take over at Old Trafford, alongside the likes of Julian Nagelsmann, Antonio Conte and Fabian Hurzeler.

According to talkSPORT, Howe is believed to be Jason Wilcox's 'preferred' option due to his Premier League experience, and his opinion is likely to hold huge weight in the eyes of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer Family.

Crucially, the former Bournemouth manager would seriously 'consider' taking the job if offered it - as per the Guardian - though he would require reassurances over the club's structure behind the scenes.

The biggest priority for Howe, or any manager for that matter, is fixing an out-of-control dressing room after public outbursts from Lisandro Martinez and Bruno Fernandes in the space of a week.

They would also need huge financial backing in January to fix a squad that was left short in the summer and, ultimately, control over what personnel arrives through the door.

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What players Eddie Howe could bring to Man United

During his time at Newcastle, Howe used a tactically disciplined, high-pressing and structured 4-3-3 system.

He demanded relentless running from his squad in and out of possession, while players known for poor training habits or a lack of defensive commitment did not fit his system.

A lot of United's current side would need to seriously buy into this ethos - if Howe replaces Carrick - as they're currently one of the worst teams in the Premier League at covering ground.

So, what sort of personnel would the former Magpies boss look to add to his squad in January? Well, a centre-back, left-back, left winger and striker are the four positions on United's radar, and he would likely build from the back.

Howe likes his centre-backs to be comfortable in possession, so a quality ball-playing defender will be on his radar, with Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite arguably fitting that bill.

Branthwaite has emerged as Man United's top target in defence, two years after trying to sign him from Merseyside, and he would be an ideal replacement for Martinez.

At left-back, meanwhile, Howe wants players in that position to be incredibly attacking, utilising their pace to get up and down the pitch.

That was another position the club failed to address in the summer, missing out on their dream signing Lewis Hall, who recently signed a new long-term contract at St James' Park after United tried to sign him.

Howe rated Hall extremely highly at Newcastle, and it wouldn't be surprising if he tried to bring him to Old Trafford, with Bournemouth's Adrien Truffert emerging as another option.

A lightning-quick winger would also be on the 48-year-old's agenda. At the Magpies, he successfully coached Anthony Gordon into a high-output wide forward, and he would want to replicate that blueprint at United.

The Red Devils are equally in desperate need of a striker after Benjamin Sesko's injury, and a new manager would only accelerate those plans. Howe wants his centre forward to be physically imposing, excellent at pressing and linking play.

Jean-Philippe Mateta is a player being strongly linked with Man United and, with his contract at Crystal Palace set to expire in June, he is the Premier League-proven striker they are craving.