Michael Carrick’s telling response after being told to sell eight players by Man Utd hero

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has not yet followed transfer instructions previously laid out by Paul Scholes

Michael Carrick has not sanctioned any major sales so far this summer at Manchester United. This is despite United hero Paul Scholes recommending eight stars be sold.

Carrick is currently taking charge of his first pre-season and there are just a few weeks until the Premier League returns. With only three first-team signings made so far in Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Karl Darlow, more additions are expected.

However, there has yet to be a major exit from the club, aside from Casemiro’s departure. In April, Scholes was asked for a series of United stars who were surplus to requirements and of the eight players he listed, only one appears set to leave as things stand.

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Joshua Zirkzee was among the players that Scholes believed should be sold and the former Bologna forward is edging closer to a return to Italy. La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Zirkzee is willing to join Juventus, who are pursuing a loan arrangement with an option to buy.

Scholes and Carrick spent seven seasons together in United’s midfield during their playing days. However, whilst the pundit’s suggestion to move on Zirkzee may materialise, the other seven stars Scholes mentioned could all remain part of United’s squad next term, with Carrick’s response clear.

The 51-year-old stressed the importance of United revamping their defence. Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, Scholes said of Leny Yoro: “I think he’s struggled, me. I think there’s something in there, I think he needs a bit of time, but if you had to make a choice now, I’d probably sell him.”

He also argued that the shift away from ex-boss Ruben Amorim’s three-at-the-back system would have implications for Noussair Mazraoui. Mazraoui has been linked with a departure this summer, though he remains part of Carrick’s side. Highly-rated defender Yoro has also expressed a desire to make his mark at United next season.

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Turning to midfield, Scholes felt Manuel Ugarte would depart and the Uruguayan was linked with a move before picking up an injury at the World Cup. Mason Mount also featured on Scholes’ eight-man list, though the England international has caught the eye during pre-season.

Additionally, Scholes felt the moment had arrived to say goodbye to Harry Maguire, who continues to have a key role at United. He said: “I’m thinking about a Manchester United team you want to win the league and the Champions League and that’s where United should be aiming. I’m not sure you’d do that with Maguire.”

Elsewhere, United have held an interest in Newcastle United full-back Lewis Hall in the transfer window. Focusing on the left-back position, Scholes previously urged the club to offload long-serving Luke Shaw due to doubts about his reliability, despite him having featured in every Premier League fixture last season. He was equally prepared to let Patrick Dorgu leave.

Scholes said on Dorgu: “They brought him in as a wing-back and he’s not really played much there. I’d probably sell. I’m not sure what position he is. Again, if you keep him then he’s just a squad player.”

Overall, of the eight players Scholes recommended be sold, only Zirkzee appears set for an imminent exit. There has been little speculation regarding the remaining seven of Yoro, Mazraoui, Shaw, Dorgu, Mount, Ugarte and Maguire.

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