Manchester United are reportedly closing in on their first summer signing as Michael Carrick begins life as long-term manager
As the Premier League season reaches its conclusion, Manchester United have been handed a highly encouraging update on the transfer front. Michael Carrick’s side wrap up their campaign away to Brighton on Sunday, though they’ve already clinched third place.
The fixture comes less than 48 hours after it was announced Carrick has put pen to paper on a permanent deal to stay on as United boss. And the former interim manager would relish nothing more than marking the occasion with one last victory on the south coast before the summer break.
Bruno Fernandes also has extra incentive to shine at the Amex Stadium as he stands just one assist shy of beating the Premier League’s all-time record. An Old Trafford legend also crops up in the latest United headlines as MEN Sport rounds up this weekend’s biggest stories.
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Pep details Ferguson chat
Before Pep Guardiola’s final match at home to Aston Villa, Sir Alex Ferguson made contact to commend the City manager. The Catalan has confirmed his exit from the role following an iconic decade, which commenced just a few years after Ferguson stepped away from the game in 2013.
Ferguson’s United faced Guardiola’s Barcelona in two Champions League finals back in 2009 and 2011. The Premier League giants were comprehensively defeated on both occasions but evidently the two managers developed a mutual respect for each other.
Having claimed 16 major honours at the Etihad, Guardiola has been mooted as a contender to Ferguson’s unofficial crown as the Premier League’s greatest manager of all time. Wherever one stands on that debate, however, the Scot paid respects to his former rival with a personal message.
“I know I had incredible success during my time as the manager and it is nice to be there,” said Guardiola ahead of Sunday’s curtain call. “One of the biggest, biggest compliments I had, I got a message from Sir Alex Ferguson yesterday, two days ago, and that made me so happy.
“He is the greatest in this country. The tenure, the time, and for many, many reasons. I’m happy that Sir Alex Ferguson, the greatest could [see]…
“I’m pretty sure [to] Sir Alex we are not the ‘noisy neighbours’ [anymore], we are the ‘neighbours’. Just ‘the neighbours’. And I’m happy that he has been watching.”
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
United on verge of signing Ederson
Carrick has pledged his future to United and it seems the club are already on the brink of completing their first summer deal. That’s after a report from SportItalia indicated United are close to securing Atalanta midfielder Ederson in a £45million transfer.
The Brazilian will be tasked with filling the gap soon to be created by fellow countryman Casemiro as he edges closer to joining Inter Miami. Ederson has just 12 months remaining on his contract in Italy, which is thought to have resulted in a substantial reduction in his valuation.
United have conducted multiple transactions with Atalanta in recent years, beginning with the acquisition of Amad back in 2021. Two years later, they brought in striker Rasmus Hojlund in a package valued at up to £72m, though he has since transferred to Napoli.
According to SportItalia, the Ederson transfer is “almost closed” following months of rumours connecting the two sides. Nevertheless, he would mark only the opening addition as United commence another overhaul this summer.
Strengthening the midfield is understood to be a key focus for United going into this summer. That said, securing Ederson would represent an early statement of intent, with expectations that his presence could replicate Casemiro’s formidable partnership alongside Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo during the latter stages of the 2025/26 campaign.
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