Eddie Howe has reportedly declined the chance to be interviewed for the Crystal Palace position, leaving him free for potential contact from Manchester United. Palace are preparing to dismiss manager Pierre Sage, with the club languishing at the foot of the Premier League table following Sunday's 3-1 loss to Liverpool.
The Frenchman was thought to likely become the season's first managerial sacking in the top flight, just ahead of Michael Carrick.
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But United have ultimately opted to part ways with Carrick, who has presided over a dreadful beginning to the season. Club executives Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox were resolute about delaying their verdict until the international break and have now chosen to wield the axe.
This means two Premier League sides are simultaneously seeking new managers. Howe, who left Newcastle in July following a five-year spell, is being linked with both roles.
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However, The Sun claims that he has already rebuffed an overture from Palace, positioning Thomas Frank and Sean Dyche as the leading contenders for the job. The 48-year-old is believed to be interested in the vacancy set to emerge at Old Trafford, though.
The ex-Newcastle boss featured prominently on the shortlist of candidates which initially surfaced last month amid United's appalling start to the season. He has been weighed up by Berrada and Wilcox, alongside Julian Nagelsmann, Antonio Conte and Mauricio Pochettino.
Carrick retained his position following the previous crisis talks after their 3-0 loss to Bournemouth, but a 3-2 comeback victory against Roma and Sunday's frantic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa have failed to persuade his superiors that he can reverse the situation.
United sit 18th in the table, having collected just eight points from their first 10 fixtures. They have secured only three victories across all competitions this term, against Ipswich, Sabah and Roma, and were eliminated from the Carabao Cup.
While chief executive Berrada and director of football Wilcox are supervising the recruitment procedure for Carrick's replacement, the ultimate verdict must receive approval from Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
United have sufficient time to finalise the appointment, with their next fixture not scheduled until November 22, when they travel to Anfield to face rivals Liverpool.
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