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Manchester United hold transfer meeting with Michael Carrick this week
Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick has made such a positive impression at Old Trafford he will be allowed influence over the club’s transfer plans this month.
Carrick taking plaudits after derby victory
Roy Keane admitted he has to give Michael Carrick “credit where it’s due” following Manchester United’s 2-0 victory against Manchester City despite previously saying he was concerned by the appointment.
Carrick briefly took over as caretaker manager after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked in November 2021 and began his second stint in style against Manchester City thanks to goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu.
Keane handed Carrick credit but says he will be judged on his performance over the next few months.
He told Sky Sports: “Credit where it’s due, absolutely fantastic. Let’s judge it over the next few months.
“The key is now to get momentum into this team, belief, no other distractions, focus on the league matches. There are quality players, we know that.
“They’ve not been consistent enough. Today they’ve had a clean sheet and had two centre-halves and experienced players who can get a partnership together and stay injury free, and all those things can fall into place.
“Players coming off the bench having an effect. He’s done well today but let’s see over the next few months how he does.”
Better than Baleba: Man Utd gearing up to sign £43m Casemiro replacement
Manchester United appear to have stepped up their interest in a new central midfielder.
The interim boss has insisted he does not care about criticisms from former players working in the media, and it seems his fresh outlook on the role has rubbed off on INEOS, who are now considering entering the transfer market having reportedly told Ruben Amorim there would be no new signings made this month.
Romano reveals Old Trafford transfer meeting
Speaking on his YouTube channel on Sunday evening, Fabrizio Romano claimed INEOS will hold a meeting with Carrick within a matter of hours – likely meaning Monday – to discuss transfers.
“I wanted to mention something on Manchester United. Because in the next hours, I would say, at the very beginning of this week, there will be an internal meeting at Manchester United, involving also the ideas of Michael Carrick.
“That is not Michael Carrick who decides, but Michael Carrick, who started his Manchester United chapter in a fantastic way, by winning the Manchester Derby, showing very good energy, very good football.
“But at the same time, Carrick will be involved in the conversation with Man United to decide on several situations, what they want to do on the market from now to the end of the January transfer window.
“If they want to go and try and get a player for an opportunity, maybe in midfield, maybe in other positions, maybe a striker. So they need to assess and decide with Michael Carrick, or continue with the current squad and invest in the summer.”
The Red Devils have been linked with several midfielders, albeit most of them would be more likely to join in the summer, but one target who could be on the move this month is Ruben Neves, who boasts Premier League experience and would likely be available for around £20m.
