All the latest news from Manchester United
Manchester United will be looking on enviously this midweek as the Champions League knockout stages progress. United have been missing from Europe’s elite competition for two seasons – but that appears poised to change in the next campaign thanks to Michael Carrick.
The former Middlesbrough manager has orchestrated a remarkable transformation in the club’s trajectory since taking over from Ruben Amorim in January. Carrick has steered United to seven victories from his nine matches at the helm, including a 3-1 triumph over Aston Villa last Sunday.
That impressive run has propelled the 13-time Premier League winners into the top four, where they now hold a five-point advantage over Liverpool in fifth. Success against Bournemouth on Friday evening would strengthen that standing further before their closest challengers – Chelsea, Villa and Arne Slot’s side – play catch-up over the weekend.
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Ahead of all that, the MEN delivers the latest developments from Old Trafford, including reports surrounding summer transfer strategies and a pair of United players facing uncertain futures.
Summer plans
There’s seldom a quiet summer at Old Trafford. That pattern looks set to persist once the window opens with whomever United opt for in the dugout next season.
According to The Sun, Manchester United have plans to overhaul their midfield once the current season concludes, with the addition of two new central midfielders. United already appear thin in the middle of the pitch, even without considering the impending departure of Casemiro, whose contract is due to expire.
His exit will leave Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte as the squad’s only dedicated central midfielders, which won’t suffice for a campaign that will involve European football in some capacity, barring a disastrous end to the season. Over the past year, United have been linked with numerous players, including Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson and Carlos Baleba.
Only time will tell who the decision-makers at Old Trafford choose to focus on. However, it seems almost certain that United’s midfield will sport a fresh look by the start of the next season.
Double plea
Football fans always have an opinion on who should stay or go, and it appears United’s players are no different. Two members of Carrick’s team have made appeals to the board in recent days, although at least one seems likely to be ignored.
Matheus Cunha, has confessed that he’s persistently urging Casemiro to reconsider his decision to leave the club. Speaking to TNT Sports Brazil, he said: “I’m always asking him, ‘Come on, stay at Manchester United! Just one year with me, let’s go for a second year.’”
Leny Yoro echoed this sentiment, stating: “I think everyone wanted him [Casemiro] to stay. He’s a really important player for us. He showed it again [vs Aston Villa at the weekend].”
Yoro also hopes that one other player, in particular, will remain at Old Trafford. He is particularly fond of Harry Maguire and has encouraged the England international to renew his contract.
Maguire’s current deal expires in the summer, and whilst discussions about a new contract have taken place, it would likely necessitate a reduction in his salary.
Yoro added: “If he can stay next season, it’s really good for us. So I hope he’s going to extend his contract and he can stay with us. We’ll see. We’ll see anyway.”
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