Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola could be linked with his departure from Manchester United
Andoni Iraola has been praised for his work at Bournemouth (Image: Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Manchester United are reportedly linked with the appointment of Andoni Iraola after it was confirmed that he would leave Bournemouth at the end of the season. The Spanish manager won plenty of praise during his three-year stay on the south coast.
United are still searching for a replacement for Ruben Amorim, who was sacked in January. Caretaker manager Michael Carrick has put his team firmly in the race for Champions League qualification, but he is not the only candidate for the vacant spot.
Iraola reportedly has fans at Old Trafford, but United will be expected to face competition for his services as his contract with Bournemouth approaches the end of his contract. The 43-year-old has been touted as a potential successor to Ernesto Valverde at Athletic Club, where he spent 12 years as a player.
But the chance to lead one of the world’s biggest clubs may be too tempting to turn down. If Iraola is appointed as United’s new manager in the summer, he will have to make some key decisions early on.
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Bournemouth double swoop
Two members of the current squad could join United next season. Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Crupi and defender Marco Senesi have been identified as transfer targets.
read more: Casemiro’s text messages to his agent speak volumes about Man United’s current situationread more: Manchester United have ‘pressed the pause button’ on offer to sign Michael Carrick in a sudden turn of events
Teenage striker Crupi has had an eye-catching season, taking his tally to 10 league goals with his goal against Arsenal last weekend. The Daily Mail reports that United are keeping an eye on the 19-year-old, who has also attracted interest from Liverpool and Chelsea.
Bournemouth will likely demand a big fee for the French forward given his contract runs until 2030. However, Crupi has proven prolific in the first team, scoring an average goal every 125 minutes, and could be United’s long-term striker.
Eli Junior Crupi has starred for Bournemouth this season (Image: Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
The Mail also reports that United are interested in centre-back Marcos Senesi. The 28-year-old has been a virtual fixture at the Cherries this season and is set to leave as a free agent.
Iraola has given Bournemouth players the tools to thrive elsewhere. Manchester City’s Antoine Semenho and Real Madrid defender Dean Huyssen are among the players who have reached new heights after leaving the Cherries, and United will be hoping Crupi and Senesi can follow that blueprint.
Securing Casemiro’s successor
The main area United need to work on in the summer is central midfield. Casemiro has announced he will leave the club in the summer, so finding a replacement to partner a rejuvenated Koby Mainu will be a priority.
Several midfielders have been linked with a move to Old Trafford, and Nottingham Forest’s Elliott Anderson could fit the bill. The England international is reportedly backing a move to Manchester City, but Iraola could make a statement by convincing the 23-year-old to change his mind.
Anderson is widely expected to leave Forest this summer, with rumors suggesting he could join City for £65m. The midfielder has started all 32 league games for Forest this season.
Alternatively, standout performer Alex Scott could fill the void by further raiding his soon-to-be-founded former club, Iraora. Scott has been linked with United for many years and is also on the periphery of England’s system.
Bruno Fernandes remains Manchester United’s most important player (Image: Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Solving the future of Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes has played a pivotal role for United since joining from Sporting CP in January 2020. The Portuguese midfielder has just over a year left on his contract and Iraola will want to resolve the captain’s future if he is to join United.
The 31-year-old has proven his importance to the team, contributing 25 goals in 29 league games. Meanwhile, Fernandes recently revealed what it would take to remain at Old Trafford.
He told the Telegraph: “I always say to clubs, ‘Don’t promise me you’re going to win the Premier League. It’s not possible. But if you promise me that you’re going to be competitive and stay there till the end… that’s all I need to know.’
“Because it’s my responsibility to be the best version of myself and to help everyone around me be the best version of themselves and be the club we want to be.”
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