Manchester United stumbled to their first defeat of the very successful Michael Carrick interim reign last time out against Newcastle United.
Unlike the Premier League losses piling up high under Ruben Amorim, Carrick had managed to secure a very impressive six wins from seven matches heading into the clash at St James’ Park.
Unfortunately, for the rejuvenated Red Devils, a stunning solo strike from William Osula, right at the death, would break the away side’s hearts, which will have left the 44-year-old with plenty to ponder as his team take a breather for the weekend during FA Cup action.
Man United add Premier League star to summer shortlist
While United can’t afford many more slip-ups in their race to finish inside the coveted Champions League positions, attentions are already shifting slightly towards the summer transfer window, as the Premier League giants begin to be linked with a whole host of exciting names.
Already, Carrick and Co are reportedly frontrunners in the race to land Newcastle midfield machine Sandro Tonali, as United try to have the last laugh over the Magpies by swooping in for the Italian.
Tonali isn’t the only midfielder United are keeping tabs on from a fellow Premier League outfit, however, with the Daily Mail now revealing that the Red Devils also have versatile AFC Bournemouth ace Marcus Tavernier on their summer shortlist.
Indeed, the report states that United are looking to add reinforcements on the left of the attack in the off-season, with Tavernier’s name mentioned as a potential signing alongside more ambitious targets in the form of Morgan Gibbs-White and Yan Diomande.
Also piquing the interest of Aston Villa, United could well have a battle on their hands to land the Leeds-born ace, who is reported to be valued around the £40m mark.
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How Tavernier could be Mbeumo 2.0
With it further being mentioned that the Cherries could be up for selling Tavernier, as per their club model, United might be on for a stunning deal if they can get the 26-year-old’s signature over the line, as another golden Bryan Mbeumo-style swoop is secured.
Mbeumo won’t look back on the 2-1 defeat at St James’ Park with much fondness, as the ex-Brentford attacker made it four sorry top-flight games in a row without a goal, after fluffing his lines on Tyneside.
If you take away his recent dip in form, though, the number 19 does stick out as a successful purchase for the most part, with the energetic 26-year-old noted as being Amorim’s “best player” during extremely tough times at the start of the campaign, by Old Trafford royalty in Wayne Rooney.
Mbeumo is able to boast a bumper nine goals and three assists for this new side so far this season, which included this header leaving Guglielmo Vicario stranded back in November, as he tries to live up to his wild £65m price-tag.
He is far from just a goalscoring menace for the Red Devils, however, with Mbeumo’s adaptability to line up as a winger or as a striker giving Carrick – and Amorim before him – plenty of options in attack.
Tavernier’s numbers by position for Bournemouth
Position
Games
Goals
Assists
LW
28
5
5
RW
24
4
4
AM
18
2
2
LM
15
2
2
RM
7
2
2
DM
4
1
1
CM
2
0
0
SS
1
0
0
LB
1
1
0
Tavernier would be able to offer a similar malleable presence if he swapped the South Coast for the red half of Manchester, having even lined up as a left back for the Cherries during his memorable 116-game stay to date.
He also possesses the same game-changing ability that Mbeumo has up his sleeve – as further evidenced by the Cameroonian being a marksman Brentford could once depend on when firing home 70 goals from 242 Bees outings – with a hefty 36 goal contributions next to his name for Andoni Iraola’s men.
It does feel like the time is right now for Tavernier to bag himself a headline-grabbing move, much like Mbeumo’s standout £65m switch, with the number 16 branded an “incredible” talent by ex-boss Gary O’Neil for his boundless energy and sublime ability to thump home a fierce effort.
Before Tavernier potentially pulls on United red, though, Carrick’s men still need to pick up some huge results between now and the end of the season to clinch Champions League football, as Mbeumo and Co look to put their Newcastle blip firmly behind them.
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