Michael Carrick will have some transfer decisions to make if he is given the Manchester United job on a permanent basis
It could be a big summer ahead for Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)
There is a lot of football to be played between now and May but Michael Carrick has done enough to already spark conversations around a permanent appointment at Manchester United. Four wins and a draw from five league matches leave United fourth in the table with 12 games to go and Champions League qualification in their own hands.
If he keeps United in the top four, interim boss Carrick will surely be in the running to take the job on a permanent basis. Fellow contenders Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti have both signed extensions with the national sides they currently manage, while Mauricio Pochettino – on United’s radar in the past – has been more recently linked with a return to Tottenham.
Carrick’s predecessor Ruben Amorim was dismissed in early January, making for a quiet winter transfer window. United have largely been reluctant to spend mid-season in recent years but the appointment of a permanent boss suggests they could be a great deal busier in the summer.
One thing we already know is United will need to prepare for life without Casemiro, whose exit has already been confirmed. As for what else might be on the cards, we’ve taken a look at what a permanent Carrick appointment might mean for the first team.
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Goalkeeper and defence
The 2025 signing of Senne Lammens has been a success so far and the Belgian can be expected to continue between the sticks but a new back-up could be required. Altay Bayindir has been linked with a return to Turkey while Tom Heaton turns 40 in April and Andre Onana’s future is up in the air after being loaned out by Amorim – though Radek Vitek could return as second choice after impressing on loan at Bristol City.
In defence, Harry Maguire is out of contract in the summer but talk of a new deal – on amended terms – has been floated. The England international has impressed alongside Lisandro Martinez during Carrick’s tenure, while Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Ayden Heaven have all racked up minutes in a position where United appear well-stocked.
At full-back, Luke Shaw turns 31 this year and has a storied injury history, even if he has been available on a more consistent basis this term. Patrick Dorgu’s resurgence before his recent injury could see the Dane become United’s best bet on the left, with reports in Germany suggesting Borussia Dortmund star Julian Ryerson could be a summer target – allowing one of Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui to remain as a back-up and the other offloaded.
Julian Ryerson is wanted by a number of European clubs(Image: Borussia Dortmund via Getty Imag)
Midfield
A successor to Casemiro is the top priority and it’s not an area where United will want to skimp. Asking prices north of £100million saw United wait on some targets last summer and instead focus on attacking recruitment, but now’s the time to prioritise the middle of the park.
Carlos Baleba’s stock appears to have fallen of late, while Adam Wharton might be the top contender were United to appoint Oliver Glasner. If Carrick is the man, though, then a £100m swoop for Nottingham Forest and England star Elliot Anderson makes the most sense as the profile of player who could thrive in a two with Kobbie Mainoo.
Further forward, there’s an argument this summer represents the perfect time to secure a clean break with Bruno Fernandes. Matheus Cunha has shown he has the quality to thrive as a 10 and this could be the last opportunity to secure a hefty fee for captain Fernandes, freeing up funds to spend elsewhere.
Manuel Ugarte is another who could be offloaded after failing to establish himself at Old Trafford. However, there’s a case for keeping hold of Mason Mount amid his resurgence and obvious versatility.
Attack
Cunha was joined at Old Trafford last summer by Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, who have enjoyed varying fortunes. While Mbeumo put his Premier League experience to immediate use, Sesko took a little longer before showing green shoots of late.
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On the opposite flank to Mbeumo, Amad remains an option as he aims to rediscover the form he showed before heading to the Africa Cup of Nations. However, there’s another option gaining some traction – a recall for Marcus Rashford.
Rashford has been spending the season on loan at Barcelona but the appointment of his former team-mate Carrick has prompted talk of a reunion. That would require Barca to say no to a £26.2m buy option, with no guarantee this will happen after an impressive spell in Catalunya, but the England international could offer an option across the front three if he returns.
Potential Manchester United XI for the 2026/27 season: Lammens; Ryerson, Maguire, Martinez, Dorgu; Anderson, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Cunha, Rashford; Sesko
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