Howe was linked last autumn when Ruben Amorim was under pressure, but dismissed the speculation at that time. Roy Keane backed him to replace the Portuguese manager, giving the green light on Sky Sports in January last year: "I'd go with Eddie Howe."

"I like him, I like what he's done. He's managed a lot of games. When his teams are at it, they'll play good football.

"He has his critics, but I like what he's done at Newcastle. He's managed seven or 800 games.

"He's still a young man. I love his calmness. Maybe Man Utd need a little bit of that."

Speaking on Keys and Gray Unleashed, he said: "The Eddie Howe scenario will raise a few eyebrows, and yes, a man with a little bit more experience who has obviously done what he's done at Bournemouth and at Newcastle. It's a different managerial level when you come in at Manchester United.

Yorke went on to add: "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. But if you expand it out there even more, who else is out there?

"There is nobody else, and that's why Carrick will survive for a little bit longer. There are no top managerial candidates out there who can come in and really excite the people and the fans at Manchester United."